valley of death

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "valley of death" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used metaphorically to describe a situation of extreme danger or difficulty, particularly in contexts like business, military, or personal challenges. Example: "The startup faced a valley of death in its early stages, struggling to secure funding while trying to develop its product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

He is cycling into the valley of death.

Independent

"It seemed … that it was the Valley of Death.

The New York Times

1.43pm: Into the valley of death rides gallant Novak Djokovic.

The Guardian - Sport

And so, the next day, to the valley of death.

The Guardian - Travel

It has literally become a valley of death.

The Guardian - Opinion

Diffusion is the valley of death for social innovation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It is not necessarily the most appropriate framework for bridging the 'valley of death'.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Much discussion has been devoted to this so-called 'Valley of Death' in anticancer drug development, but the problem persists.

Duke University

In addition to the structural disincentives such as the 'Valley of Death' HHS actions have further discouraged industry participation.

Emerging Health Threats Journal

Worried that funding for startups is tight, that you will confront the 'valley of death'?

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

Life is not a long slow decline from sunlit uplands towards the valley of death.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "valley of death" in a business context, clearly define what specific challenges the company faces during that phase, such as lack of funding, product-market fit issues, or scaling difficulties.

Common error

Avoid using "valley of death" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound cliché. Opt for more specific language to describe the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "valley of death" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used metaphorically. Ludwig AI examples indicate that it serves to name or describe a period or situation characterized by extreme danger, difficulty, or potential failure. It can also function as a subject or object within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "valley of death" is a commonly used metaphor to describe a period of extreme difficulty or danger, particularly in business, military, or personal contexts. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in various contexts. While grammatically sound and widely understood, overuse should be avoided to maintain impact. Related phrases like "perilous situation" or "critical juncture" can offer suitable alternatives. Its origin stems from Tennyson's poem and has evolved to represent challenging phases in diverse fields. The phrase is predominantly found in news and media, but also has a presence in science and formal business settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perilous situation

Replaces 'valley' with a more general term for danger and 'death' with 'situation', broadening the context slightly.

critical juncture

Focuses on the turning point aspect, suitable for business or project management contexts.

risky phase

Emphasizes the element of risk, less dramatic than "death" but still conveys potential for failure.

precarious position

Underlines the instability and potential for collapse.

dangerous predicament

Highlights the challenging nature of the situation with a stronger emphasis on being trapped or stuck.

difficult transition

Implies a challenging change or shift.

time of great adversity

More formal and general, suitable when referring to a period of hardship or struggle.

hazardous circumstances

Highlights the presence of hazards and potential harm.

uncharted territory

Suggests the risks associated with entering a new or unknown area, either literally or figuratively.

testing period

Softens the negative connotation, suggesting a trial or challenge that needs to be overcome.

FAQs

How can I use "valley of death" in a sentence?

You can use "valley of death" to describe a period of great difficulty or danger. For example: "The startup faced a "valley of death" when it ran out of funding."

What is meant by the "valley of death" in business?

In business, the "valley of death" typically refers to the period when a startup has spent its initial capital but hasn't yet generated enough revenue to be self-sustaining. It's a phase where many startups fail.

Are there alternatives to using the phrase "valley of death"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "perilous situation", "critical juncture", or "risky phase" depending on the context.

What is the origin of the phrase "valley of death"?

The phrase "valley of death" gained prominence from Tennyson's poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade", which described a disastrous military charge into a valley under heavy fire.