In ruins
phrase
Badly damaged or destroyed.
After the earthquake, the city was totally in ruins.
Often appears as...
- city in ruins
- life in ruins
phrase
In a very bad condition, due to being neglected or not being used.
His career was in ruins after the scandal.
Often appears as...
- career in ruins
- reputation in ruins
phrase
In a state of financial disaster.
After the stock market crash, many investors were left in ruins.
Often appears as...
- financially in ruins
- business in ruins
Usage tips
Financial
phrase
Badly damaged or destroyed.
After the earthquake, the city was totally in ruins.
Often appears as...
- city in ruins
- life in ruins
phrase
In a very bad condition, due to being neglected or not being used.
His career was in ruins after the scandal.
Often appears as...
- career in ruins
- reputation in ruins
phrase
In a state of financial disaster.
After the stock market crash, many investors were left in ruins.
Often appears as...
- financially in ruins
- business in ruins
Usage tips
Financial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Visual Impact
Use 'in ruins' to emphasize the visible devastation of something, often with emotional effect.
The ancient monument now lies in ruins, a ghost of its former glory.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Context
Apply 'in ruins' when discussing historical buildings or cities that have been destroyed in the past.
The castle stood for centuries but is now in ruins.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorically Speaking
'In ruins' can be used metaphorically to describe something that is not physically destroyed, like plans or hopes.
After the failed merger, their expansion plans were in ruins.
Pro Tip 1/3Visual Impact
Use 'in ruins' to emphasize the visible devastation of something, often with emotional effect.
The ancient monument now lies in ruins, a ghost of its former glory.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Context
Apply 'in ruins' when discussing historical buildings or cities that have been destroyed in the past.
The castle stood for centuries but is now in ruins.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorically Speaking
'In ruins' can be used metaphorically to describe something that is not physically destroyed, like plans or hopes.
After the failed merger, their expansion plans were in ruins.
Pro Tip 1/3Visual Impact
Use 'in ruins' to emphasize the visible devastation of something, often with emotional effect.
The ancient monument now lies in ruins, a ghost of its former glory.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Context
Apply 'in ruins' when discussing historical buildings or cities that have been destroyed in the past.
The castle stood for centuries but is now in ruins.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorically Speaking
'In ruins' can be used metaphorically to describe something that is not physically destroyed, like plans or hopes.
After the failed merger, their expansion plans were in ruins.
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