THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
A recipe for disaster
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
A situation or combination of actions likely to cause serious problems.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Launching without testing the payment page is a recipe for disaster.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
Launching without testing the payment page is ________.
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A recipe for disaster — A situation or combination of actions likely to cause serious problems.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “A recipe for disaster” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
A situation or combination of actions likely to cause serious problems.
Compare: Launching without testing the payment page is a recipe for disaster.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it as a strong warning about an unwise plan. It suits conversation and workplace discussion but may sound exaggerated for a minor inconvenience.
More examples in context
- Unclear instructions and an impossible deadline are a recipe for disaster.
- Letting three people edit the only copy without a backup is a recipe for disaster.
Usage note
Recipe is figurative here. “A recipe for success” uses the same pattern for a positive likely result; the word after for determines the outcome.
A short conversation
A: Can we skip the rehearsal and change all the timings on the day?
B: That sounds like a recipe for disaster. We need a clear running order.
A: Let us arrange a short rehearsal instead.
One more practice question
Which plan is a recipe for disaster?
A. Running a complex event with no roles, timetable or equipment checks.
B. Assigning roles and checking the timetable and equipment in advance.
Check your answer
A. The lack of preparation makes serious problems likely.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.