leave in disarray

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave in disarray" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is left in a state of disorder or chaos. Example: "After the party, the living room was left in disarray, with empty bottles and scattered decorations everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Lakers again played the final moments disoriented and disorganized and are now left in disarray.

The New York Times - Sports

The group's Web site was disabled, its finances left in disarray, its plans disclosed to the authorities.

The New York Times

She has been left in disarray, alone with their daughters and facing foreclosure proceedings against their home.

The New York Times

Exam chaos at the University of Sheffield Sheffield students have been left in disarray after multiple departments set exams that were incorrect or impossible to complete, Forge Press reports.

Independent

The Sicilian mafia is far weaker now, left in disarray by Riina, who sought unsuccessfully to lead it from his prison cell in Parma.

The Guardian

As far north as Costa Rica, the Social Christian Unity Party has been left in disarray by corruption scandals that enveloped two of the party's former presidents.

The New York Times

The unusual ruling left in disarray the government's case against Danny and Richard Teng, the father and son who own a warehouse in College Point, Queens.

The New York Times

However, the programme was left in disarray in the wake of the Jimmy Savile and Lord McAlpine scandals and a significant overhaul of personnel was inevitable.

The Guardian

The program includes the "Emerson" Concerto and the mighty Symphony No. 4, works of daunting complexity, left in disarray at the composer's death.

The New York Times - Arts

This time they gathered in Brussels with markets relative calm, but left in disarray.One senior eurozone source claimed, improbably, that the issue of recapitalising Spanish and Irish banks had, in fact, not been discussed directly.

The Economist

The new government faced opposition from Western nations because of its socialist principles, but it embarked on a program to rebuild the economy, which had been left in disarray by Gairy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leave in disarray" to vividly describe situations where things are not just disorganized, but also chaotic and perhaps dysfunctional as a result of someone's actions or an event.

Common error

While "leave in disarray" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Opt for more precise or professional terms depending on the subject, such as "leave disorganized" or "leave mismanaged".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave in disarray" functions primarily as a verb phrase that describes the resulting state of something or someone after a particular action or event. It often indicates a negative consequence, implying confusion, disorder, or chaos. According to Ludwig, this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leave in disarray" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-registered expression used to describe a state of disorder and chaos. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it's important to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives like "leave disorganized" or "leave mismanaged" for professional settings. Semantic alternatives include "leave in chaos" and "leave in disorder", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Given the absence of specific examples, understanding its implications and appropriate usage is key to effectively conveying the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave in chaos

Focuses on the complete disorder and confusion left behind.

leave in disorder

Emphasizes the lack of order and organization.

leave in a mess

Highlights the untidiness and disarray resulting from the action.

leave in shambles

Suggests a state of ruin and devastation.

leave in a state of confusion

Focuses on the mental disarray and lack of clarity.

leave disrupted

Emphasizes the interruption and disturbance caused.

leave scattered

Highlights the dispersed and disorganized nature of what's left.

leave wrecked

Suggests significant damage and destruction.

leave devastated

Emphasizes the emotional or physical ruin caused.

leave overturned

Focuses on the state of being toppled or reversed.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something was left in disarray?

To say something was "left in disarray" means it was left in a state of disorder, confusion, or chaos. It implies a lack of organization and possibly some level of damage or disruption.

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

You can use "leave in disarray" to describe the state something is in after an event or action. For example: "The storm left the town in disarray" or "His sudden departure left the company in disarray."

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

You can use alternatives like "leave in chaos", "leave in disorder", or "leave in a mess" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "leave in disarray" formal or informal?

"Leave in disarray" is generally considered appropriate for neutral to slightly informal contexts. In highly formal or professional settings, you might prefer alternatives like "leave disorganized" or "leave mismanaged".