mountain of debt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mountain of debt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large or overwhelming amount of debt that someone owes. Example: "After years of poor financial decisions, she found herself facing a mountain of debt that seemed impossible to overcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Bill Chase, Geneva A mountain of debt?

The New York Times

"She is digging us out of a mountain of debt".

The New York Times

But the mountain of debt grew rather than shrank.

The Guardian - Arts

The other, Brookdale Senior Living, faces a mountain of debt.

The New York Times

The companies also are struggling under a mountain of debt.

The New York Times

How was that mountain of debt paid off?

The Guardian - Opinion

It went into Chapter 11 last June, under a mountain of debt.

The Economist

But instead Tishman Speyer and its partner BlackRock found themselves facing a mountain of debt.

The New York Times

Indian companies took on a mountain of debt, largely because it was there.

The Economist

"Both Yubari and I have a mountain of debt," Mr. Suzuki jokes.

The New York Times

The economy is balanced precariously on a mountain of debt, much of it owed to foreigners.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "mountain of debt", consider the specific context to ensure it effectively conveys the magnitude and impact of the debt. For example, use it when discussing national economies, corporate finances, or personal financial struggles.

Common error

Avoid using "mountain of debt" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. While effective, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "crushing debt burden" or "massive financial obligations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mountain of debt" functions as a metaphorical noun phrase used to describe a large and overwhelming amount of debt. As Ludwig AI underlines, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mountain of debt" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a large and overwhelming amount of debt. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is most frequently used in news and media, but also appears in formal business contexts. While effective, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "crushing debt burden" or "overwhelming debt load" to maintain variety in writing. The phrase serves to emphasize the severity of a financial situation, regardless of whether it concerns national, corporate, or personal finances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unmanageable debt

Indicates the debt is too large to be effectively handled.

overwhelming debt load

Focuses on the feeling of being burdened by debt.

crushing debt burden

Emphasizes the oppressive weight of the debt.

huge debt accumulation

Highlights the process of debt increasing over time.

prohibitive level of debt

Suggests the debt is so large it prevents other actions.

massive financial obligations

Highlights the scale and binding nature of the debt.

enormous debt exposure

Focuses on the risk associated with a large debt.

significant indebtedness

A more formal way of describing a substantial amount of debt.

substantial financial liabilities

Emphasizes the legal and financial aspect of the debt.

astronomical debt

Uses a hyperbolic term to describe an extremely high level of debt.

FAQs

How can I use "mountain of debt" in a sentence?

You can use "mountain of debt" to describe a situation where an entity has a large amount of outstanding financial obligations, like: "The company collapsed under a "mountain of debt"."

What are some alternatives to saying "mountain of debt"?

Alternatives include "crushing debt burden", "overwhelming debt load", or "significant indebtedness", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "mountain of debt" in formal writing?

Yes, "mountain of debt" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when you want to emphasize the overwhelming nature of the debt. However, consider using a more neutral term like "substantial financial liabilities" for highly formal contexts.

What kind of debt is "mountain of debt" usually referring to?

"Mountain of debt" can refer to various types of debt, including national debt, corporate debt, or personal debt. It is not specific to any one kind but emphasizes the sheer size of the debt.