something of nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'something of nothing' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe an unexpected advantage or gain, something that was seemingly impossible to attain. For example, "He managed to make something of nothing by investing in a small business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Mr. Nauman has done more than make something of nothing.

The New York Times - Arts

And the joy of making something of nothing will be real.

The Guardian - Books

It was something of nothing, but the players involved have been dealt with by myself and that's the end of the matter.

The Guardian - Sport

The complaint to City came from a parent but Ken Barnes, the club's former head scout, told Dispatches the incident was "something of nothing" and nothing more than a "bit irresponsible".

The Guardian - Sport

It seeks to highlight a major dilemma of the black American existence — that we have in fact made something of nothing in a society that perpetually would like to reduce us to mere objects — as a failure of the American dream.

The New Yorker

Smith is at risk of becoming the new Tom Cruise — someone who, even in repose, glows red-hot with clench-jawed tension and whose laid-back humor seems disciplined and forced with the effort to make something of nothing or even less.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

For example, there's something of "nothing-buttery" about his comments about death: "I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail.

The Guardian - Opinion

CAN something come of nothing?

The Economist

He's made something out of nothing".

The New York Times - Sports

The writers created something out of nothing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Why is there something instead of nothing?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something of nothing" to emphasize ingenuity or resourcefulness in overcoming challenges or creating opportunities.

Common error

Avoid using "something of nothing" when merely describing a small or insignificant object or event. The phrase suggests a transformation or substantial achievement, not just triviality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something of nothing" functions as a noun phrase that often serves as an object or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing the phrase used to describe situations where value or achievement arises from a lack of initial resources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something of nothing" is a correct and usable phrase in English used to denote the creation of value or achievement from meager beginnings. Ludwig AI showcases its usage in contexts emphasizing ingenuity and resourcefulness, across news, academic, and scientific domains. While it's grammatically sound and appears in authoritative sources, it's important to consider its scope to avoid misuse. Alternatives such as "making something from scratch" or "turning nothing into something" can provide similar emphasis depending on the context. Overall, the phrase highlights transformative actions and remarkable achievements. The usage frequency is uncommon but correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Turning nothing into something

Highlights the transformative aspect of taking a valueless state and creating value.

Making something from scratch

Focuses on the act of creating something entirely new, often implying effort and resourcefulness.

Building from the ground up

Implies a gradual process of development, starting from a basic foundation.

Creating value from scarcity

Emphasizes the resourceful creation of value in situations where resources are limited.

Making do with what you have

Focuses on resourcefulness and adaptability in using available materials or resources.

Conjuring something from thin air

Highlights the seemingly magical or impossible creation of something.

Improvising a solution

Emphasizes a creative and often spontaneous solution to a problem with limited resources.

Pulling a rabbit out of a hat

Conveys the idea of producing something unexpected or surprising from apparently nothing.

Starting with a clean slate

Implies beginning anew, often after failures, where previous resources don't exist anymore.

Inventing on the fly

Highlights the ability to improvise and innovate in real-time with minimal preparation or resources.

FAQs

How can I use "something of nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "something of nothing" to describe a situation where someone creates value or achieves success despite having limited resources. For example, "The artist made "something of nothing" by transforming discarded materials into beautiful sculptures."

What's a good alternative to the phrase "something of nothing"?

Alternatives include "making something from scratch", "turning nothing into something", or "creating value from scarcity", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "something out of nothing" instead of "something of nothing"?

While both phrases exist, "something out of nothing" is more common and generally preferred. "Something of nothing" emphasizes the initial lack of value, while "something out of nothing" highlights the transformative process.

When is it appropriate to use "something of nothing" in writing?

Use "something of nothing" when you want to emphasize the remarkable nature of an achievement or creation given the initial lack of resources or potential. It is suitable for highlighting ingenuity, resourcefulness, or transformative actions.