left and broke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left and broke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being abandoned or deserted, along with a sense of financial ruin or emotional distress. Example: "After the sudden breakup, she felt left and broke, struggling to pick up the pieces of her life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

On the Falcons' second offensive play of the extra period, Vick dropped back, rolled left and broke two tackles for his second rushing touchdown of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Byner ran left and broke inside with a clear path to the end zone, but was stripped by Denver's Jeremiah Castille just before crossing the goal line.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Heath, who batted left-handed and threw right-handed and broke in with the Indians in 1936 at the age of 21, appeared in 12 games with the club and recorded a.341 batting average and seven extra-base hits.

Wikipedia

They are miserable and broke.

Independent

Hamas is vulnerable and broke.

The Guardian - Opinion

Daniel J. Langevin was 35, mentally ill and broke.

The New York Times

But both nominees emerged bruised and broke.

The New York Times

"He finds himself isolated and broke".

The New York Times

He was 24, and "young and broke and hardworking".

The New Yorker

"We were young, tired, wet, drunk and broke.

The New York Times

His parents were pious, hard-working and broke.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left and broke" to describe a situation where someone is both abandoned and financially ruined, especially to evoke a sense of despair or misfortune. Consider it when discussing personal setbacks or economic downturns.

Common error

Avoid using "left and broke" in formal or business contexts where a more precise term like "insolvent" or "destitute" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a strong emotional connotation that might not be suitable for objective reporting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left and broke" primarily functions as a descriptive compound adjective. It typically modifies a noun (often a person or entity) to indicate a state of being abandoned or deserted, combined with financial ruin or significant monetary loss. Ludwig AI shows examples where it describes personal or professional downfalls.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left and broke" describes a state of being both abandoned and financially ruined. While grammatically correct, its usage is relatively rare and leans toward informal contexts, primarily appearing in news and media. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase evokes a strong sense of misfortune and is best used when aiming to convey both emotional and financial hardship. More formal alternatives, such as "abandoned and destitute", may be more appropriate for business or academic writing. It’s important to consider the emotional connotation of the phrase and whether it suits the overall tone and purpose of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abandoned and penniless

Replaces "left" with "abandoned" and "broke" with "penniless", emphasizing desertion and lack of money.

deserted and destitute

Employs "deserted" for a stronger sense of abandonment and "destitute" to indicate extreme poverty.

forsaken and bankrupt

Substitutes "left" with "forsaken" to highlight being deserted and "broke" with "bankrupt" for formal financial ruin.

abandoned and without funds

Replaces "broke" with "without funds" to clarify the financial aspect of the situation.

stranded and insolvent

Uses "stranded" instead of "left" to convey a sense of being stuck, and "insolvent" in place of "broke" for a formal financial term.

isolated and impoverished

Replaces "left" with "isolated" to emphasize loneliness and "broke" with "impoverished" for a broader term of being poor.

cast aside and indebted

Replaces "left" with "cast aside" and "broke" with "indebted", focusing on the state of owing money.

jettisoned and ruined

Uses "jettisoned" to suggest being discarded and "ruined" to describe complete destruction of one's financial state.

marooned and struggling

Substitutes "left" with "marooned" to convey a sense of being stranded and "broke" with "struggling" to suggest financial difficulties.

forgotten and wiped out

Uses "forgotten" instead of "left" and "wiped out" for a dramatic depiction of financial loss.

FAQs

How can I use "left and broke" in a sentence?

You can use "left and broke" to describe someone who has been abandoned and has no money. For example, "After the company went bankrupt, many employees were "left and broke"."

What's a more formal alternative to "left and broke"?

More formal alternatives include "abandoned and destitute" or "forsaken and impoverished". These phrases are suitable for business or academic writing, where emotional language might be inappropriate.

Is "left and broke" grammatically correct?

Yes, "left and broke" is grammatically correct. It uses a conjunction to link two adjectives, "left" describing a state of abandonment and "broke" describing a state of financial ruin.

Can "left and broke" be used to describe a company?

Yes, although it's more commonly used to describe individuals, "left and broke" can be used to describe a company or organization that has been abandoned or has failed financially. A more appropriate term would be "defunct" or "insolvent".