utterly broke

USAGE SUMMARY

"utterly broke" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who has no money at all. Example: After paying all the bills, I found myself utterly broke. Alternative expressions include "completely broke" and "totally broke."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He spends his vacation week at home, and during an utterly broke, thirteen-day period, allows friends to buy him drinks.

The New Yorker

If the pension scheme is utterly broke, it is not just because of greedy Greeks.This devastating academic study details how many Greek state bodies failed to make the correct contributions for their employees, in some cases for years.

The Economist

And then there is the Bat'kivshchyna, the official, if utterly broke, representative of Ukraine, and a floating testament to either the indomitability of the human spirit or the primacy of Murphy's Law.

The New York Times

Self-exiled from his homeland, on the run from the authorities, he was repeatedly jailed, often through no fault of his own, and enslaved; as a soldier he lost the use of his left hand and most of his ideals; he had relentless family struggles, and more often than not was utterly broke.

The Guardian - Books

"If we go on making our payments as usual, we will be utterly broke, and that will be very soon.

Huffington Post

Well, not fine, but I've seen him worse…" A week or so later Todd called her to say he was broke, utterly broke.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Broke it.

The New York Times

"Broke Britannia!

The Economist

Feeling broke?

The New Yorker

Something broke.

The New Yorker

"Broke what?" "Broke what breaks".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly broke" to emphasize the severity of being without money. It adds a stronger emotional tone than simply saying "broke".

Common error

While "utterly broke" effectively conveys a lack of funds, avoid overusing intensifiers like "utterly", "completely", or "totally" in close proximity. Overuse can weaken their impact and make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly broke" functions as a subject complement, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being without money. It serves to emphasize the extent of being "broke", as confirmed by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly broke" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that emphasizes the state of having no money. While not overly common, it is recognized as proper English, confirmed by Ludwig's analysis. Its primary function is to intensify the meaning of "broke", conveying a stronger sense of financial destitution. It is primarily found in News & Media contexts. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "completely broke" or "totally broke" to express a similar idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely broke

This alternative is very similar, replacing "utterly" with "completely" for near-identical meaning.

Totally broke

This alternative replaces "utterly" with "totally", another synonym indicating complete lack of funds.

Flat broke

This alternative uses "flat" to emphasize the state of being broke, adding a touch of informality.

Penniless

This alternative describes the state of having no money at all, highlighting the lack of even small amounts.

Destitute

This alternative indicates extreme poverty and lack of resources, suggesting a more severe condition.

Impecunious

This alternative is a more formal and less common way of saying someone lacks money.

Insolvent

This alternative refers to being unable to pay debts, often used in a business or legal context.

Bankrupt

This alternative indicates a legally declared state of financial failure.

Without a penny to one's name

This alternative is an idiomatic expression emphasizing the complete absence of money.

Broke beyond repair

This alternative suggests that the financial situation is so bad that it cannot be easily resolved.

FAQs

What does "utterly broke" mean?

"Utterly broke" means completely without money. It emphasizes the severity of the financial situation, indicating that someone has no funds available.

What can I say instead of "utterly broke"?

You can use alternatives like "completely broke", "totally broke", or "flat broke" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "utterly broke"?

Yes, "utterly broke" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe someone who is completely without money. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

What's the difference between "utterly broke" and "broke"?

"Broke" simply means having no money. Adding "utterly" emphasizes the extent of being without funds, making it a stronger statement. "Utterly" functions as an intensifier.