“Abandon all hope” is a phrase that signifies giving up entirely on the possibility of a positive outcome. It conveys a sense of complete and utter despair, where the situation is believed to be beyond redemption or recovery. This phrase is famously associated with Dante’s Inferno, where “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here” serves as a warning to those entering Hell that they will find no escape or salvation. Figuratively, it is used in modern contexts to describe situations where success or improvement seems impossible, urging individuals to accept defeat or the harsh reality of the circumstances.
Sample Sentences:
- As the storm worsened, the sailors were told to abandon all hope of saving the ship.
- When the final exam results were announced, he abandoned all hope of passing the course.
- The haunting sign at the entrance of the dungeon read, “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”
- Faced with overwhelming odds, they began to abandon all hope of survival.
- She refused to abandon all hope, even when her situation seemed hopeless.
- When negotiations failed, the workers abandoned all hope of reaching an agreement.
- The doctor’s grim expression made them abandon all hope of a miracle.
- After years of trying, he abandoned all hope of reconciling with his estranged family.
- As the deadline approached, the team abandoned all hope of completing the project on time.
- The crumbling castle stood as a symbol, as if whispering to visitors to abandon all hope.
Synonyms:
- Give up hope
- Surrender to despair
- Lose all faith
- Resign oneself
- Succumb to hopelessness
- Accept defeat
- Despair completely
- Let go of all optimism
Antonyms:
- Hold on to hope
- Remain optimistic
- Have faith
- Persevere
- Stay hopeful
- Believe in possibilities
- Endure
- Trust in a positive outcome
Phrasal Verbs:
- Give up on (to stop believing something can succeed)
- Lose faith in (to stop trusting or believing)
- Let go of (to release emotional or mental hope)
- Succumb to (to yield or give in to despair)
- Give in to (to allow negative feelings to take control)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- Throw in the towel (to quit or give up entirely)
- Lose heart (to lose hope or confidence)
- A lost cause (something hopeless with no chance of success)
- At the end of the line (reaching a hopeless or final point)
- All hope is lost (a situation where success seems impossible)
- The writing on the wall (clear signs that failure or defeat is inevitable)