if/when all else fails
idiom
: if/when everything else one has attempted has failed
He only bothers to read the directions if/when all else fails.
Examples of if/when all else fails in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Clips coming out of the Russia-Ukraine war show lucky shots saving lives when all else fails.
—
Colin Demarest, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025
And if all else fails, there’s always delicious baked goods like corn bread and corn cakes.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 8 Jan. 2025
Kansas City runs the ball well, plays good defense, has a mastermind at head coach in Andy Reid and, if all else fails, employs a three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback who seemingly always makes the necessary plays to win.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025
And if all else fails, Nicole Kidman is always available.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for if/when all else fails 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Colin Demarest, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025
And if all else fails, there’s always delicious baked goods like corn bread and corn cakes.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 8 Jan. 2025
Kansas City runs the ball well, plays good defense, has a mastermind at head coach in Andy Reid and, if all else fails, employs a three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback who seemingly always makes the necessary plays to win.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025
And if all else fails, Nicole Kidman is always available.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for if/when all else fails
Dictionary Entries Near if/when all else fails
Cite this Entry
“If/when all else fails.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if%2Fwhen%20all%20else%20fails. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share