Hopelessly ruined; completely worn out: This term once meant literally destroyed by gunfire, but by the late nineteenth century it was clearly figurative. Ernest Hemingway used it in the short story Fiesta (1926): “That meant San Sebastian all shot to hell.”
📚 Similar and Related Expressions:
- Down in the dumps: Feeling low or dejected.
- Beyond repair: Unable to be fixed.
- In shambles: In a state of complete disorder or ruin.
- Gone to pot: Deteriorated significantly; waste away.
🪧 Synonyms:
- Wrecked
- Destroyed
- Demolished
- Ruined
❌ Antonyms:
- Pristine
- Untouched
- Intact
- Whole
🥴 Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “My diet plans are shot to hell every time I see a donut.” - Unknown
- “My vacation itinerary was shot to hell by Murphy’s law.” - Common Traveler’s Lament
📜 Proverbs:
- “Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it sure can be shot to hell in seconds.”
🎬 References:
- Hemingway, Ernest. “Fiesta,” 1926.
- Wilder, Billy. “Some Like It Hot,” 1959 (humorous representation of ruined plans).
📖 Literature, Books, Songs, Poety, and Movies:
- Book: “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Ernest Hemingway
- Explanation: Known for his concise, impactful prose, Hemingway often confronted themes of destruction and rebuilding.
- Song: “Fix You” by Coldplay
- Explanation: A song about trying to fix things that are broken, akin to things that might feel “shot to hell.”
- Poetry: “The Wasteland” by T.S. Eliot
- Explanation: Renowned for its themes of despair and ruin, similar in feeling to “shot to hell.”
- Movie: “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”
- Explanation: This film showcases catastrophic destruction and ruin on a massive scale.
💡 Did You Know?
The phrase “shot to hell” historically referred to the devastating impact of gunfire in warfare. Imagine a soldier returning to find his beloved town more ruined than a sandwich in a blender. The imagery is intense, and Hemingway’s use continues to resonate in modern contexts where we feel overwhelmingly defeated or ruinous.
Inspirational Farewell from W. T. Wittywords:
“When life gets shot to hell, remember you have the power to rebuild. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, may you find strength in resilience.”
### Which phrase means feeling dejected or low?
- [x] Down in the dumps
- [ ] Flying high
- [ ] Singing in the rain
- [ ] Cooking with gas
> **Explanation:** "Down in the dumps" is a common expression meaning feeling low or dejected. The others suggest happy, positive feelings or activities.
### "Gone to pot" means what?
- [x] Deteriorated significantly
- [ ] Improved drastically
- [ ] Stayed the same
- [ ] Got a new hairstyle
> **Explanation:** The phrase "gone to pot" typically means something has deteriorated or declined significantly. Hairsyle changes may be personal catastrophes but they don't fit here.
### The phrase "shot to hell" originates from which area?
- [ ] Culinary arts
- [x] Warfare
- [ ] Finance
- [ ] Gardening
> **Explanation:** "Shot to hell" originally referred to the destruction caused by gunfire in warfare before becoming a figurative expression.
### True or False: "In shambles" can mean hopelessly destroyed.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Yes, "in shambles" indeed means something is in complete disorder or ruined, much like "shot to hell."
