vanish without a trace

USAGE SUMMARY

"vanish without a trace" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something or someone that completely disappears or cannot be located. Example sentence: The suspect vanished without a trace, leaving the police with no leads in the case.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Violators Will Vanish Without a Trace".

The New Yorker

He would vanish without a trace.

The New Yorker

It seemed like a good time to vanish without a trace.

The New Yorker

"Otherwise, all the gains made in the past years will vanish without a trace".

The New York Times

He will, he decides, simply try to vanish without a trace".

The New York Times - Books

He had assembled a phenomenal cast -- I assumed he didn't want to just have the experience vanish without a trace.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

The mother of Lauren Spierer, an Indiana college student who vanished without a trace more than a year ago, told the person responsible in an open letter released Thursday that, "I hope with every breath you take, you remember Lauren".

Huffington Post

Only he's vanished without a trace.

The New Yorker

The student then seemingly vanishing without a trace.

The Guardian

In March one of them vanished without a trace.

The Economist

His daughter and son-in-law vanished without a trace.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vanish without a trace" to describe a sudden and complete disappearance, especially when emphasizing the mystery or lack of clues surrounding the event. It works well in both narrative and descriptive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "vanish without a trace" for situations where something is simply lost or misplaced. The phrase implies a more profound and inexplicable disappearance, not just a temporary inability to find something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vanish without a trace" functions as an idiomatic expression. It typically acts as a predicate, describing how someone or something disappeared completely and mysteriously. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vanish without a trace" is a commonly used phrase to describe a complete and mysterious disappearance. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and suitable for written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it serves to emphasize the inexplicable nature of someone or something disappearing, leaving no clues behind. While appropriate for formal use, it should be used carefully to avoid overuse in simple lost-and-found situations. Related phrases like "disappear completely" or "become untraceable" can provide alternative ways to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become untraceable

Highlights the inability to track or locate someone or something.

disappear completely

Focuses on the thoroughness of the disappearance.

evaporate into thin air

Suggests a sudden and mysterious disappearance.

go missing entirely

Emphasizes the state of being missing without any indication of location.

leave no sign

Stresses the absence of any indication of presence or departure.

be lost forever

Emphasizes the permanent nature of the disappearance.

fade into oblivion

Implies a gradual disappearance into obscurity.

slip off the face of the earth

Indicates a complete and possibly intentional disappearance.

dematerialize completely

Suggests a sudden and inexplicable disappearance, as if from physical form.

go to ground

To disappear or hide, especially to avoid being caught.

FAQs

How can I use "vanish without a trace" in a sentence?

You can use "vanish without a trace" to describe a sudden and mysterious disappearance. For example, "The suspect "vanished without a trace" after the robbery, leaving the police baffled."

What does "vanish without a trace" mean?

The phrase "vanish without a trace" means to disappear completely, leaving no clues or evidence behind. It often implies a mysterious or unexplained disappearance.

Are there any synonyms for "vanish without a trace"?

Yes, some synonyms for "vanish without a trace" include "disappear completely", "become untraceable", or "evaporate into thin air".

Is it appropriate to use "vanish without a trace" in formal writing?

Yes, "vanish without a trace" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing mysterious disappearances in news articles, reports, or literary contexts.