throw into disarray

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "throw into disarray" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is thrown into chaos or disorder, often unexpectedly. Example: "The sudden resignation of the CEO threw the entire company into disarray, leaving employees uncertain about their future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

While the postponement technically does not affect other central provisions of the law — in particular those establishing health insurance marketplaces in the states, known as exchanges, where uninsured Americans can shop for policies — it threatens to throw into disarray the administration's effort to put those provisions into effect by Jan . 1

The New York Times

A collapse of the EU's flagship policy would also throw into disarray European plans for future environmental reforms and its hopes of leading other countries by example.Even if the proposal goes the commission's way, that would not change the ETS fundamentally.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That outcome has been thrown into disarray.

The Guardian

Oxford and Cambridge, however, were thrown into disarray.

The Guardian

The devolved Assembly has been thrown into disarray following the murder of Mr McGuigan last month.

Independent

If any of these charges hold up, the vote for president could be thrown into disarray.

The New York Times - Sports

The deal was thrown into disarray, however, when another bank, Wells Fargo, made a counter-offer.

The Economist

The shootings threw into disarray the city's plans to dazzle the delegates.

The New York Times

Its efforts have been thrown into disarray by Babcock's approach.

The Guardian - Business

That report threw into disarray the Bush administration's efforts to increase pressure on Iran.

The New York Times

But when Dido and Aeneas fall in love all is thrown into disarray.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "throw into disarray" when you want to emphasize a sudden and disruptive change that leads to confusion and disorder. It's particularly effective when describing plans, organizations, or systems that are negatively impacted.

Common error

While "throw into disarray" is acceptable, in very formal writing, consider using more precise or sophisticated vocabulary to describe the disruption, such as "destabilize" or "disrupt the established order".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "throw into disarray" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of causing disorder or confusion. Ludwig AI shows examples where it's used to depict the impact of events on plans or systems.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "throw into disarray" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of disrupting something and causing it to become disorganized or chaotic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and primarily used in news and media contexts. While highly effective for emphasizing disruption, remember to use more formal language when precision is required, as suggested in the writing guidance. Alternatives such as "disrupt", "throw into chaos", and "destabilize" can offer variations in emphasis, so choose the word that best fits the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

throw into chaos

This alternative emphasizes a more extreme form of disorder and confusion.

disorganize

Focuses on the lack of organization and order.

destabilize

Emphasizes the loss of stability or equilibrium.

disrupt the order

This focuses more on the pre-existing order that is being disrupted.

disrupt

This alternative is shorter and more direct, focusing on the act of disruption rather than the resulting state.

derange

This alternative implies a disturbance of the normal or regular condition.

unsettle

Suggests a state of being uneasy or disturbed.

uproot

This suggests a more violent displacement, like pulling something out of the ground.

muddle

Suggests a state of confusion and lack of clarity.

scramble

Indicates a hurried and disorganized effort or movement.

FAQs

How can I use "throw into disarray" in a sentence?

The phrase "throw into disarray" is used to describe a situation where something is disrupted and disorganized. For example, "The unexpected news "threw the negotiations into disarray"".

What are some alternatives to "throw into disarray"?

Alternatives include "disrupt", "throw into chaos", or "destabilize", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "throw into disarray" or "cause disarray"?

"Throw into disarray" emphasizes the action of disrupting something, while "cause disarray" focuses on the resulting state of disorder. Both are grammatically correct, but "throw into disarray" is more vivid.

What does it mean when something is "thrown into disarray"?

When something is "thrown into disarray", it means that it has been disrupted and is now disorganized, confused, or chaotic. Plans, projects, or organizations can be "thrown into disarray" by unexpected events or actions.