Come to grief
phrase
To meet with disaster or failure.
Their plans to start their own business came to grief.
Often appears as...
- plans come to grief
- hopes come to grief
phrase
To suffer physically or emotionally.
After her divorce, she came to grief.
Often appears as...
- came to grief after tragedy
- came to grief after divorce
phrase
To meet with disaster or failure.
Their plans to start their own business came to grief.
Often appears as...
- plans come to grief
- hopes come to grief
phrase
To suffer physically or emotionally.
After her divorce, she came to grief.
Often appears as...
- came to grief after tragedy
- came to grief after divorce
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
It's often used metaphorically to describe plans or ambitions failing, not just physical disasters.
Many startups come to grief within their first year.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Outcome
Emphasizes an unexpected negative turn of events, particularly when a plan seemed promising.
Despite careful preparation, their expedition came to grief.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Does not literally mean to encounter sorrow; it's a figure of speech for failure.
His ambitious project came to grief due to lack of funding.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
It's often used metaphorically to describe plans or ambitions failing, not just physical disasters.
Many startups come to grief within their first year.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Outcome
Emphasizes an unexpected negative turn of events, particularly when a plan seemed promising.
Despite careful preparation, their expedition came to grief.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Does not literally mean to encounter sorrow; it's a figure of speech for failure.
His ambitious project came to grief due to lack of funding.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
It's often used metaphorically to describe plans or ambitions failing, not just physical disasters.
Many startups come to grief within their first year.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Outcome
Emphasizes an unexpected negative turn of events, particularly when a plan seemed promising.
Despite careful preparation, their expedition came to grief.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Does not literally mean to encounter sorrow; it's a figure of speech for failure.
His ambitious project came to grief due to lack of funding.
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