Cool MateAll shot to hell vs Failed
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
All shot to hell
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Failed
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
Most formal: FailedMost common: Failed
| All shot to hell | Failed | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɔːl ʃɒt tə hɛl//🇺🇸 //ɔl ʃɑt tə hɛl// | 🇬🇧 /["/feɪld/"]/🇺🇸 /["/feɪld/"]/ |
| Meaning | Completely ruined or destroyed | not successful |
| Example | After the storm, the town was all shot to hell. | a failed writer |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | plans shot to hell, life shot to hell, dreams shot to hell, hope shot to hell, morning shot to hell | failed attempt, failed experiment, failed project, failed to meet, failed grades |
| Antonyms | - | succeeded, achieved, triumphed |
| Common mistakes | Using in formal contexts where it's inappropriate., Misunderstanding it as a physical location rather than a state of ruin., Confusing it with other phrases that mean something is bad. | Confusing 'failed' with 'fail' (incorrect verb tense), Using 'failed' with the wrong object (e.g., 'failed the test' instead of 'failed in the test'), Overusing it in informal contexts where lighter terms would be more appropriate |
| Usage notes | Use when expressing frustration or disappointment. It's informal and may not be suitable for formal writing. | Use 'failed' to describe attempts that did not succeed. It's neutral and can be used in various contexts, from academic to casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: All shot to hell vs Failed
What's the difference between All shot to hell and Failed?
All shot to hell: Completely ruined or destroyed Failed: not successful
Which is more formal: All shot to hell and Failed?
Failed is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: All shot to hell and Failed?
Failed is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
All shot to hell: After the storm, the town was all shot to hell. Failed: a failed writer
Can I use All shot to hell and Failed interchangeably?
Not always. All shot to hell and Failed are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.