in total disarray

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in total disarray" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is completely chaotic or disorganized. Example: "After the storm passed, the town was left in total disarray, with debris scattered everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

(When the owners finally returned in the fall, they were shocked. In a later court case, the owners described the house as "in total disarray and very dirty").

TechCrunch

By the time the 14th over was done, the scoreboard read 39 for six, the innings was in total disarray, and the records were being scoured.

The Guardian - Sport

The Seahawks are in total disarray.

The New York Times - Sports

American policy appeared in total disarray.

The Guardian

So this whole project is now in total disarray.

The Guardian

The plates on that Welsh dresser were in total disarray.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The Democrats on the committee, they wrote, "were in almost total disarray, especially compared with the well-organized Republicans".

Huffington Post

Two decades later, with Israel having moved to the far right and the Palestinians in near total disarray, there is no longer any serious discussion of Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Huffington Post

There's almost total disarray in the market, as people wait to see who comes around and with how much".

The New York Times

To my added chagrin, you were not expected to do anything around the house, never to return your plate or glass to the sink, never to make my bed, which I would see from time to time through the partly open door to my room in a state of total disarray, the blanket on the floor, your clothes heaped on my white desk.

The New Yorker

The 2002 edition of Jane's Sentinel described the Navy as being "in a state of near total disarray" and stated that it did not conduct any training or have operating procedures.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in total disarray" to describe situations where there is a complete lack of order and organization, whether physical or metaphorical. It's effective for emphasizing the severity of the disorder.

Common error

While "in total disarray" is widely understood, it can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "in complete disorder" or "in a state of chaos", especially in academic or business writing. Choose alternatives depending on audience and style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in total disarray" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the state or condition of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It provides additional information about the degree of disorder or chaos.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in total disarray" effectively conveys a state of complete disorder or chaos, suitable for describing various situations from political systems to physical spaces. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage. While versatile, it's essential to consider the formality of the context and choose alternatives if a more formal tone is required. Remember to use this phrase to emphasize the severity of the disorganization and bring clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in complete chaos

Emphasizes the chaotic nature of the situation, focusing on the lack of order.

in utter disorder

Highlights the lack of organization and systematic arrangement.

in a shambles

Implies a state of ruin or disorganization, often after a failure.

in a state of pandemonium

Suggests a wild and uncontrolled environment, often with noise and confusion.

in utter confusion

Focuses on the lack of clarity and understanding within a situation.

in a muddle

Indicates a confused and disorganized state, often due to poor planning.

in a disorganized state

Directly describes the lack of organization and structure.

in a state of disorganization

Similar to "in a disorganized state", but slightly more formal.

in a mess

A more informal way to describe a state of disarray or disorder.

all over the place

An idiomatic expression indicating a lack of focus and organization.

FAQs

How can I use "in total disarray" in a sentence?

You can use "in total disarray" to describe a situation or condition that is completely chaotic or disorganized. For example: "After the sudden announcement, the meeting was "in total disarray"."

What can I say instead of "in total disarray"?

You can use alternatives like "in complete chaos", "in utter disorder", or "in a state of pandemonium" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "in total disarray" or "in complete disarray"?

Both "in total disarray" and "in complete disarray" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice often comes down to personal preference, though "complete" might sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "in disarray" and "in total disarray"?

"In disarray" indicates a state of disorder, while ""in total disarray"" emphasizes that the disorder is complete and extensive, thus intensifying the meaning.