heap of ashes

USAGE SUMMARY

"heap of ashes" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a large, disorganized pile of ash or remains from a fire. Example sentence: After the bonfire, all that was left was a large heap of ashes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Below them the town of Engadda [Engedi] once stood in its palm groves and general fertility second only to Jerusalem, but now a heap of ashes like it.

The New Yorker

Verbal threats from North Korea, which has at various points vowed to turn South Korea into a "sea of fire" and a "heap of ashes," are a recurring feature of postwar relations between the two countries.

The New York Times

By staring expressionlessly into the middle distance and shaking my head, maintaining my stride, I hope to convey the message that I know they have a job to do but, should they attempt to talk to me, a plague of locusts will rain down on their heads and their houses will be reduced to a heap of ashes.

Independent

But now, I am prepared to accept that we will all have to be more closely monitored  Under this government, British values boil down to economic whoredom, monetary privilege and the bottom line You see brown and black-skinned Britons on Question Time whose views would make Nigel Farage blush How do you measure rekindled imaginations - hope grown in a heap of ashes?

Independent

"The fight for power has heated up so much that it may turn the political arena into a heap of ashes," he said, before unwittingly giving a clue why he would himself turn up as a piece of blackened cinder only three days later.

The Guardian

To counter the objection that cremation would interfere with resurrection, the Reverend O. B. Frothingham assured Americans that "to recover a shape from a heap of ashes can be no more difficult than to recover it from a mound of dust".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mr Gandhi, a rising political star seen by many as a future prime minister, had said there was a heap of ash in the village "with dead bodies inside".

BBC

Half an hour later, his home of 33 years had been reduced to a smoldering heap of ash and twisted metal. .

Los Angeles Times

At the town's western edge, we approached desolate, gravelly foothills of the sort that John Muir might have seen in 1878, when he described Nevada's ridges as "gray and forbidding and shadeless, like heaps of ashes dumped from the blazing sky".

The New Yorker

But Rahul Gandhi categorically stated there were bodies present in the heaps of ashes.

BBC

Witnesses reported seeing charred cows lying by the side of the road and cottages reduced to heaps of ash.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heap of ashes" to vividly describe the aftermath of a fire or any event that results in complete destruction.

Common error

Avoid using "heap of ashes" solely in a literal sense. It can also represent the utter ruin of plans, hopes, or relationships, adding a layer of metaphorical depth to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heap of ashes" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a tangible result of destruction. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heap of ashes" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that vividly describes a scene of destruction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for both literal and figurative use. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news and media when describing the aftermath of fires, conflicts, or other destructive events. Related phrases include "pile of ash" and "charred remains". When writing, use "heap of ashes" to vividly portray devastation, but be mindful of its metaphorical potential to represent the ruin of intangible things as well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pile of ash

Replaces "heap" with "pile", a synonym with similar connotations of disorganization.

ashes and rubble

Combines the fine particles of ash with larger fragments of destruction.

charred remains

Emphasizes the burnt and blackened state of the remnants.

collection of cinders

Replaces "ashes" with "cinders", implying larger, partially burnt pieces.

remains of a fire

Shifts focus from the ash itself to the event that produced it, implying a destructive process.

burned-out ruins

Focuses on the structural damage and the loss of what once stood.

ruins reduced to ash

Inverts the original phrase to highlight the process of being reduced to ash.

smoldering debris

Highlights the potential for lingering heat or activity in the wreckage.

vestiges of destruction

More formal, referring to the lasting signs or traces of devastation.

site of devastation

Shifts focus from the physical remains to the place where destruction occurred.

FAQs

How can I use "heap of ashes" in a sentence?

You can use "heap of ashes" to describe a scene of physical destruction, like "After the fire, the house was reduced to a "heap of ashes"." It can also be used figuratively to describe the ruin of something intangible, such as "His dreams lay in a "heap of ashes" after the business failed."

What's a good synonym for "heap of ashes"?

Depending on the context, you could use "pile of ash", "remains of a fire", or "charred remains" as alternatives to "heap of ashes".

Is it correct to say "heaps of ashes" instead of "heap of ashes"?

Both "heaps of ash" and "heap of ashes" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Heap of ashes" refers to a single, distinct pile, while "heaps of ashes" suggests multiple piles or a more widespread area of ash.

Can "heap of ashes" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "heap of ashes" is often used metaphorically to represent the complete destruction or ruin of something, such as a relationship, a career, or a dream. It implies a state of irreversible loss and devastation.