Total shambles

Definitions

• complete mess or chaos
  Describing a situation or event that is in a state of disorder, confusion, or disarray

• extreme failure or disaster
  Referring to a situation that has gone horribly wrong or has resulted in a complete failure

Examples of Total shambles

• The party planning committee's organization skills are in total shambles.

  This idiom is used when referring to a situation or place that is in complete disarray or chaos. In this example, the party planning committee has failed to organize the event efficiently, leading to chaos and confusion. Overall, the situation can be considered a "total shambles".

• The office looks like a total shambles after the move.

  In this example, the idiom is being used to describe the current state of the office following a move. The new location may be in disarray due to unpacked boxes, damaged furniture, and misplaced equipment, making it difficult to operate efficiently.

• My closet is a total shambles right now.

  This example may seem less serious than the previous two, but it still illustrates the versatility of the idiom. In this case, the speaker's closet is in disarray because of clutter and disorganization, making it difficult to find specific items.

• The construction site is still a total shambles despite the deadline approaching rapidly.

  In this final example, the idiom is being used to describe a construction site that is still in disarray, even though the deadline for the project is fast approaching. This may cause unnecessary stress and pressure on the workers and management involved, as they try to complete the project on time.

• The office looks like a total shambles after the intern left his papers everywhere.

  This idiom is used to describe a situation that is in complete disarray or disorder. In the example, the office is a mess because the intern didn't clean up after himself, resulting in a chaotic and disorganized environment.

• The planning committee's proposal was a total shambles, and it needed major revisions before it could be approved.

  This idiom can also be used to describe a poorly planned or executed idea or project. In this example, the proposal presented by the planning committee was flawed and needed significant improvements before it could be accepted.

• My bedroom is a total shambles, and I can't seem to find anything amidst the clutter.

  Here, the speaker is using the idiom to describe the state of their own bedroom, which is cluttered and disorganized, making it difficult to locate items.

• The presidential debate was a total shambles, as the candidates interrupted each other constantly and failed to address the issues at hand.

  In this example, the idiom is being used to describe a chaotic and disorganized debate, in which the candidates failed to follow proper debate etiquette and failed to address the issues in a clear and effective manner.

Conclusion

The idiom "total shambles" is used to describe a situation or event that is in a state of complete disorder, chaos, or failure. It can be used to convey the idea of a complete mess or extreme failure.

Origin of "Total shambles"

The origin of the idiom "total shambles" can be traced back to the early 20th century, where "shambles" referred to a slaughterhouse or a place of great disorder or confusion. Over time, the term evolved to be used figuratively to describe any situation that is in a state of chaos or disarray. The addition of "total" emphasizes the extreme nature of the disorder or failure being described. An example of this usage can be seen in a sentence like "The party was a total shambles, with nothing going according to plan."