lost in the clutter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost in the clutter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to find or notice due to a lot of other things around it, often referring to physical or metaphorical disorganization. Example: "Amid all the paperwork on my desk, my important documents were lost in the clutter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Besides, he added, small movies can get lost in the clutter of Cannes.

The New York Times

A slow start with an iPad app could mean getting lost in the clutter of Apple's crowded online store.

The New York Times - Tech

But without some serious attempt to contour the dynamics and sort out the climaxes, the big, fateful pronouncements tend to get lost in the clutter.

The New York Times - Arts

In December, up against a huge number of releases from other movie companies, the Miramax offerings "Kate and Leopold" and "Shipping News" became lost in the clutter.

The New York Times

A week or two or three earlier, and the women would be lost in the clutter of men's conference tournaments and regional play.

The New York Times - Sports

Think back to the Republican convention in Tampa, where so many speakers peddled similar tales of heroic forebears and humble origins that genuinely inspirational narratives were lost in the clutter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But this potentially fascinating terrain gets lost in the hermetic clutter of who is deceiving (or being deceived by) whom.

The New York Times - Books

Occasionally found himself lost in the midfield clutter Fernando Torres - 8 - Thumped a header against a post, then beat the dawdling Metzelder and Lahm with ease to put his side ahead Substitutes Xabi Alonso (for Fábregas, 63) Santi Cazorla (for Silva, 66) Daniel Güiza (for Torres, 78).

The Guardian - Sport

Despite not having a powerful brand name or being linked to a powerful portal like Yahoo or America Online, Time for Prom shows that small retailers need not get lost in the vast clutter on the Internet if they develop a clear, narrow identity.

The New York Times

All my good points were lost in all the clutter and the argument did not end well.

The New York Times

"They worry that incoming important e-mail will get blocked by their filters or just plain lost in the morass and clutter of spam that gets into their In boxes," Dr. Fallows said.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "lost in the clutter", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being obscured and what the clutter consists of. This will enhance clarity and prevent misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "lost in the clutter" when referring to situations where something is simply missing or misplaced without the presence of surrounding disarray. The phrase specifically implies obscurity due to surrounding items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost in the clutter" functions as an idiomatic expression often used as a predicate adjective to describe something that is difficult to find, notice, or understand because it is surrounded by a large amount of other things. Ludwig's examples show its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost in the clutter" is a common idiom used to describe something obscured or difficult to find amidst a collection of distracting elements. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and sees its use in a range of contexts, from describing physical disarray to metaphorical obscurity. While not exceptionally frequent, its usage is consistent across news sources, science-related articles, and wikis, making it a versatile tool for writers. When using this phrase, remember to emphasize the aspect that contributes to the distraction or disarray to ensure clarity. Alternatives include "buried in the mess" or "overwhelmed by the chaos".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

buried in the mess

Implies something is completely covered and hidden within a disorganized collection.

overwhelmed by the chaos

Highlights the disorienting and overpowering nature of a chaotic environment.

submerged in the disarray

Suggests something is completely immersed and lost within a state of disorder.

obscured by the confusion

Focuses on how confusion makes something unclear and difficult to perceive.

hidden amidst the jumble

Emphasizes the scattered and disordered nature of the surrounding items.

vanished in the disorganization

Indicates a complete disappearance due to a lack of structure or order.

dissipated in the disorder

Implies something has broken apart and scattered due to the surrounding chaos.

smothered by the excess

Suggests something is suppressed or suffocated by an overabundance of other things.

undetectable within the pile

Focuses on the difficulty of finding something within a large, unsorted heap.

unseen in the aggregate

Highlights that something remains unnoticed within a larger collection or group.

FAQs

How can I use "lost in the clutter" in a sentence?

You can use "lost in the clutter" to describe something that is difficult to find or notice because of a lot of other things around it. For example, "Important documents can easily get lost in the clutter on a messy desk."

What are some alternatives to saying "lost in the clutter"?

Alternatives include "buried in the mess", "overwhelmed by the chaos", or "hidden amidst the jumble", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "lost in the clutter" or "lost in the mess"?

Both "lost in the clutter" and "lost in the mess" are acceptable, but "clutter" often implies a disorganized collection of items, while "mess" can refer to any kind of disorder or untidiness. The best choice depends on the specific situation you're describing.

Can "lost in the clutter" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "lost in the clutter" can be used metaphorically to describe ideas, information, or emotions that are difficult to discern due to an overwhelming amount of distractions or competing factors. For instance, "The main message was lost in the clutter of details."