What does “Scattered to the four winds” mean?
"Scattered to the four winds" means that something or someone has been spread out in all directions.
What context can I use the in?
Example
After the explosion, debris from the building was scattered to the four winds.
Example
When the news broke, reporters were scattered to the four winds to cover the story.
Example
The protesters were scattered to the four winds by the police
Is “Scattered to the four winds” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Scattered to the four winds” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Scattered to the four winds” effectively in context?
You can use "Scattered to the Four Winds" to describe something or someone being spread out or dispersed in all directions. It emphasizes the idea of things or people being scattered far and wide. For example, if you're describing a chaotic scene after an explosion, you might say, 'After the explosion, debris from the building was "scattered to the four winds".'
- 1Natural Disaster
When the tornado hit, the houses were scattered to the four winds.
- 2News Coverage
As soon as the news broke, reporters were scattered to the four winds to cover the story.
- 3Protest
The protesters were causing chaos, so the police scattered them to the four winds.
Similar phrases to “Scattered to the four winds”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Scattered to the four winds” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Scattered to the Four Winds" is unknown.
Is “Scattered to the four winds” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Scattered to the Four Winds" is a common expression in everyday conversation. It is often used to vividly describe the dispersal or spreading out of things or people.
What tone does “Scattered to the four winds” have?
"Scattered to the Four Winds" conveys a tone of chaos or disarray. It suggests that something or someone has been scattered in a haphazard or uncontrolled manner.
Can “Scattered to the four winds” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Scattered to the Four Winds" is more commonly used in informal settings. It is often used in storytelling or casual conversations to add color and emphasis to a description.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'After the explosion, debris from the building was "scattered to the four winds".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Everything was "scattered to the four winds"!' to imply a chaotic situation.