from cradle to grave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'from cradle to grave' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a person's entire life, from the beginning (cradle) to the end (grave). For example, you might say "He was always there for her, from cradle to grave."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

5 2 FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE, by Joyce Egginton.

The New York Times - Books

Free, from cradle to grave.

The New York Times

Why wouldn't you address the problem from cradle to grave?

The Guardian

We're just people, making the pilgrimage from cradle to grave.

The New York Times - Travel

Together they touch on human experience from cradle to grave.

The New York Times - Arts

This is our NHS – from cradle to grave.

The Guardian

That is, the fuel is locked inside the ENHS from "cradle to grave".

Progress in Nuclear Energy

Innovation, as a pure discipline, is the management of the process from cradle to grave.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"So from cradle to grave, they have been used to that".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a technique to quantify the impacts associated with a product, service or process from cradle-to-grave perspective.

Water Research

LCA involves assessment of environmental impact of different stages of a product's life cycle typically from cradle-to-grave.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "from cradle to grave" to describe systems, services, or ideologies designed to support individuals throughout their entire lives. For example, a "from cradle to grave" healthcare system provides medical care from birth until death.

Common error

Avoid using "from cradle to grave" when you only mean to describe a specific period within a lifetime. This phrase implies an all-encompassing, lifelong scope. Be sure that's what you truly intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from cradle to grave" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It indicates the duration or scope of an action, service, or condition, signifying that it applies throughout a person's entire lifetime.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "from cradle to grave" effectively conveys that something spans an entire lifetime, from birth to death. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It's commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, used to describe systems, ideologies, or effects that are all-encompassing. While versatile, remember to use it when truly referring to the entirety of someone's life, and explore alternatives like "throughout one's life" or "from birth to death" for different nuances. Avoid limiting "from cradle to grave" use to more specific periods within a lifetime.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

From birth to death

A more direct and literal alternative, emphasizing the start and end points of life.

Womb to tomb

A more dramatic and evocative alternative.

Throughout one's life

Focuses on the duration of someone's existence.

Life-long

Emphasizes the duration of something lasting an entire life.

For the duration of one's existence

A formal way of expressing something that happens throughout a person's life.

From beginning to end

Focuses on the completeness of a process or activity, rather than specifically life.

Start to finish

Similar to "from beginning to end", but slightly more informal.

Cradle to eternity

Adds a spiritual or religious connotation.

Soup to nuts

Informal idiom that indicates that everything from beginning to end is included.

Alpha to omega

Using the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet to describe an inclusive range or cycle.

FAQs

What does "from cradle to grave" mean?

The idiom "from cradle to grave" signifies the entirety of a person's life, from birth (the cradle) to death (the grave). It implies something covers or affects an individual's whole lifespan.

How can I use "from cradle to grave" in a sentence?

You can use "from cradle to grave" to describe a system or approach that addresses all stages of life. For example, "The government provides social security benefits "from cradle to grave"".

What are some alternatives to saying "from cradle to grave"?

Alternatives to "from cradle to grave" include phrases like "throughout one's life", "from birth to death", or "life-long" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "from cradle to grave" formal or informal?

"From cradle to grave" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, you might consider more precise or less idiomatic alternatives.