go to oblivion

USAGE SUMMARY

"go to oblivion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means to be forgotten or discarded. For example, "The memory of his mistake quickly went to oblivion after the situation improved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

That immense critical legacy might have gone to oblivion had it not been for the bookseller Ed Maggs, who bought several crates of McCarthy's reports after they were discovered in a cinema near Bristol.

The Guardian - Film

Lena's in total rebellion against the fact that her life is going to pass into oblivion.

The New York Times

MOORE: The theory was that religion was going to fade into oblivion following primarily the end of the Cold War, but in fact, religions have always been embedded in all parts of human experience, and, of course, religion didn't go away.

Harvard University

Marc: I'm glad to see that Windows Mobile isn't going to fade into oblivion thanks to Windows Phone 7. The interface and design have finally caught up with the times and Windows Mobile users have something to look forward to.

TechCrunch

But what I would say to members and colleagues is that if we seek a comfort blanket we are going to be condemned to oblivion, because Jeremy is not asking the hard questions about economic competence".

Independent

There seems to be a consensus in publishing that literary fiction is in trouble, that it's something in need of nourishment and protection, and that the digital era is going to condemn it to oblivion.

Huffington Post

"I'm not talking about your intention, I'm talking about the result," Dr. Phil explains to Ed. "Whether it's once, five times, eight times – she is telling you that if you give her money, it's going in her arm, or it's going up her nose, or she's going to drink herself to oblivion".

Huffington Post

Their styling and quality must be exceptional because the rest of the big bad market is going to suck them into oblivion.

The New York Times

The team is learning key facts that will help conserve the majestic animals, which went to the brink of oblivion thanks to 20th Century hunters.

BBC

(Once it's raised and the world is not going to pitch into economic oblivion, everyone can have a terrific debate over the long term budget trajectory, propose laws, have votes, survive vetos and campaign on the results or lack thereof).

Huffington Post

Or the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies, a one-hit wonder that surged to the National League pennant and quickly went back to oblivion.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go to oblivion" when you want to emphasize the act of something being completely forgotten or ceasing to exist, often with a negative connotation. It suggests a final and irreversible disappearance from memory or relevance.

Common error

While "go to oblivion" can add emphasis, avoid using it too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone overly dramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "be forgotten" or "fade away" when a more neutral tone is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go to oblivion" functions primarily as a verbal phrase expressing a future state of being forgotten or becoming irrelevant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples from news sources show its use in describing entities or concepts that are fading from memory or importance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "go to oblivion" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the process of being completely forgotten or fading into irrelevance. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. While not extremely common, it appears in reputable news sources and academic writing, signifying a neutral register. Use it to emphasize the potential for something to be lost to memory, but be mindful of overusing it to maintain a balanced tone. Related phrases include "fade into obscurity" and "sink into oblivion". Remember to consider the context and desired tone when deciding whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fade into obscurity

This phrase suggests a gradual process of becoming unknown or unnoticed.

sink into oblivion

Implies a more forceful or rapid descent into being forgotten.

be consigned to oblivion

Suggests a deliberate act of relegating something to a state of being forgotten.

pass into oblivion

Indicates a natural transition into a state of being forgotten over time.

be forgotten

A simpler, more direct way of expressing the idea of being lost to memory.

disappear without a trace

Highlights the completeness of the disappearance and lack of remaining evidence.

vanish into thin air

Emphasizes the sudden and mysterious nature of the disappearance.

be lost to the sands of time

Poetic phrase suggesting something is irretrievably lost to the past.

bite the dust

Informal way of saying something has failed or ceased to exist.

meet its demise

A more formal and somewhat dramatic way of saying something has ended or failed.

FAQs

How can I use "go to oblivion" in a sentence?

You can use "go to oblivion" to describe something that is completely forgotten or ceases to exist. For example, "If we don't preserve these historical documents, they will "go to oblivion"".

What phrases are similar to "go to oblivion"?

Similar phrases include "fade into obscurity", "sink into oblivion", and "be forgotten".

Is it correct to say "gone to oblivion" instead of "go to oblivion"?

"Gone to oblivion" is a grammatically correct variation. "Go to oblivion" is often used as a future possibility, whereas "gone to oblivion" describes something that has already been forgotten.

What is the difference between "go to oblivion" and "disappear"?

"Disappear" simply means to cease being visible or present, while "go to oblivion" implies a more complete and often irreversible state of being forgotten or ceasing to matter. "Go to oblivion" carries a stronger sense of finality and significance.