throw off a cliff

USAGE SUMMARY

'throw off a cliff' is an acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used as a metaphor to describe an abrupt action or decision. For example: The CEO's decision to cut staff salaries threw the employees off a cliff.

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Watching a Godard film was often the cinematic equivalent to being thrown off a cliff.

The New York Times - Books

Puppies in Iraq: Seven are saved by American troops while a blood-boiling video emerges showing another being thrown off a cliff.

The New York Times

Mufasa, a heroic, largely faultless (he has a bit of pride) father/god/lion king is thrown off a cliff into a herd of blameless, murderous wildebeest who crush him to death as his son, Simba, looks on.

The Guardian - Film

It does though feature perhaps the best death-by-dinosaur outside of JP's Tyrannosaurus v lawyer on the toilet when a bad guy is speared by a ceratopsian horn and then thrown off a cliff.

The Guardian

But Mufasa didn't just feel like Simba's dad, he felt like a king; he represented everything being all right with the world, and then he gets thrown off a cliff by Jeremy Irons.

The Guardian - Film

That year the NSW senior deputy state coroner Jacqueline Milledge found that the television newsreader Ross Warren, 25, and barman John Russell, 31, had been murdered in two separate attacks in 1989, most probably thrown off a cliff at Bondi's Marks Park, which was known as a gay beat.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Ruby was then strangled to death by an unseen figure before her body was thrown off a cliff.

Wikipedia

Quimby assures her that she is entitled to due process which means she will be thrown off a cliff with a broomstick; if she is a witch she will be able to fly to safety, in which case the authorities expect her to report back for punishment.

Wikipedia

Whether Democrats and Republicans come to budgetary agreement before the end of the year, it seems likely that some Americans are going to be thrown off a fiscal cliff.

The New York Times

And, um, a… "life coach", Tara, who, if my instincts haven't deserted me, will soon be thrown off a high cliff, not exclusively for being a life coach (but mainly).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One woman tells her to throw herself off a cliff, while a man named Warren patiently explains that, "someone needs to throw acid on you".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "throw off a cliff" when emphasizing a sudden and devastating setback or failure. It's particularly effective in dramatic or metaphorical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "throw off a cliff" in scenarios where a literal description is more appropriate. This phrase works best as a metaphor, not a literal description of an event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "throw off a cliff" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, it is used to describe a sudden and catastrophic downfall or failure. The phrase acts as a metaphor, not a literal action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

20%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "throw off a cliff" is a widely used idiomatic expression that serves to illustrate a sudden and devastating downfall. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys a strong sense of dramatic and irreversible consequences. While grammatically correct, it's essential to use it metaphorically rather than in literal contexts. Alternatives such as "push over the edge" or "send spiraling downward" can be employed depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Overall, the phrase is a powerful tool for emphasizing abrupt and severe declines in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

push over the edge

This phrase implies a deliberate action to cause someone or something to fail or decline rapidly.

drive to the brink

This phrase suggests a situation where someone or something is nearly at the point of collapse or disaster.

send spiraling downward

This implies a rapid and uncontrollable decline or descent.

plunge into chaos

This suggests a sudden and disorderly state or situation.

cast into the abyss

This phrase evokes a sense of being lost or destroyed.

knock down

Implies causing someone to fall or fail, often unexpectedly.

sabotage

This term refers to deliberately destroying or damaging something.

derail

This term implies causing something to go off track, especially plans or ambitions.

ruin completely

This indicates total destruction or devastation.

demolish

Implies the complete destruction of something, both physically and metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "throw off a cliff" in a sentence?

The phrase "throw off a cliff" is often used metaphorically to describe a sudden and disastrous downfall or failure. For example, "The sudden economic downturn threatened to "throw the company off a cliff"".

What does "throw off a cliff" mean?

The phrase "throw off a cliff" is an idiom that means to cause someone or something to experience a sudden and catastrophic failure or decline. It implies a lack of control and a severe consequence.

Are there alternative phrases to "throw off a cliff"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "push over the edge", "send spiraling downward", or "plunge into chaos", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "throw off a cliff" in formal writing?

While grammatically acceptable, "throw off a cliff" is often more suitable for informal or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider using more precise and less figurative language to convey the same meaning.