PhrasesHub

Raze to the ground

    Definitions

      • completely destroy
        Describing the act of destroying something completely, often a building or structure

      • eliminate completely
        Referring to the complete elimination or eradication of something, such as an organization or a system

    Examples of Raze to the ground

    • The developers want to raze the old hotel to the ground and build a new high-rise in its place.

      In this example, "razed to the ground" is a phrasal verb meaning to completely destroy a building. The idiom is used to describe the developers' plan to demolish the old hotel and leave nothing but the ground in its place before constructing a completely new building in its place.

    • The tornado ravaged the small town, leaving everything in its path razed to the ground.

      Here, "razed to the ground" is used to describe the devastation caused by the tornado. It means that everything in the town, from buildings and houses to trees and other structures, was completely destroyed and reduced to the ground.

    • The dictator vowed to raze the city to the ground unless the rebels surrendered.

      This example demonstrates the intensely threatening connotation of the idiom "razed to the ground." In this case, it is used metaphorically to indicate that the dictator would reduce an entire city to rubble unless the rebels gave up their resistance.

    • The firefighters worked tirelessly to prevent the inferno from raging out of control and razing the city to the ground.

      Here, "razed to the ground" is used to emphasize the severity of the danger presented by a fire that could potentially spread and destroy an entire city. The firefighters' efforts are presented as critical to preventing such a catastrophic outcome.

    • The old abandoned factory was left to decay for years, but the city council finally decided to raze it to the ground and build a new shopping mall in its place.

      To raze a building to the ground is to demolish it completely, leaving nothing behind but the ground it was built on. In this example, the old factory was in a state of disrepair and was no longer being used, so the city council decided to tear it down and replace it with a more useful and profitable structure. The new shopping mall will be built in the place where the old factory once stood.

    • The government plans to raze the old slums to the ground and replace them with modern apartments.

      This idiom means to completely destroy a building or structure and reduce it to its foundations. In this example, the old slums will be completely demolished and removed, leaving only the ground where they once stood. The new modern apartments will then be built on the same site.

    • The rebels vowed to raze the enemy's base to the ground if they continued their attacks.

      This idiom can also be used as a threat or warning. In this example, the rebels are warning the enemy that if they continue to launch attacks, the rebels will completely destroy their base.

    • After a long and grueling battle, the army razed the enemy's stronghold to the ground.

      This idiom can also be used to indicate a successful outcome of an action or event. In this example, the army was successful in completely destroying the enemy's stronghold during the battle.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "raze to the ground" is used to describe the complete destruction or elimination of something. It can be used in a literal sense, such as the demolition of a building, or in a figurative sense, such as the eradication of an organization or system. The intention behind using this idiom is to emphasize the thoroughness of the destruction or elimination process, leaving nothing behind.

    This idiom is often used in a dramatic or emphatic context, to convey the severity of the destruction or elimination being described. It can also be used to express the idea of starting from scratch or rebuilding from the ground up, after something has been completely razed to the ground.

    Origin of "Raze to the ground"

    The origin of the idiom "raze to the ground" can be traced back to the late Middle English period. The word "raze" comes from the Old French word "raser," which means "to scrape" or "to shave." The addition of "to the ground" emphasizes the complete and thorough nature of the action being described.

    The idiom likely originated from the literal act of demolishing or leveling a building or structure to the ground, leaving nothing standing. Over time, it has come to be used more broadly to describe the complete destruction or elimination of something, conveying a sense of thoroughness and finality. The idiom has become ingrained in the English language as a vivid and powerful way to describe the act of completely destroying or eliminating something.