recipe for disaster

Meaning

A 'recipe for disaster' is a combination of plans, actions, or circumstances that is highly likely to result in a terrible outcome, failure, or trouble. It is used to warn someone that their current approach or situation is inherently flawed and bound to fail.

Examples

• Mixing alcohol with sleep deprivation is a recipe for disaster.

  Mixing alcohol with sleep deprivation is a recipe for disaster.

• Leaving those two highly competitive brothers in charge of the project is a recipe for disaster.

  Leaving those two highly competitive brothers in charge of the project is a recipe for disaster.

• Not backing up your files before a major system update is a recipe for disaster.

  Not backing up your files before a major system update is a recipe for disaster.

• Going on a rigorous hike without enough water is a recipe for disaster.

  Going on a rigorous hike without enough water is a recipe for disaster.

• Rushing the construction process just to save money is a recipe for disaster.

  Rushing the construction process just to save money is a recipe for disaster.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ That plan is a formula of disaster.

  ✓ That plan is a recipe for disaster.

  While 'formula for success' exists, the standard idiom for negative outcomes is strictly 'recipe for disaster'.

• ✗ His attitude is a recipe to disaster.

  ✓ His attitude is a recipe for disaster.

  Always use the preposition 'for' after 'recipe' in this idiomatic collocation.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Driving in a heavy snowstorm with worn-out tires is a ___.

  💡 A situation bound to end in trouble or failure.

  Show answer

  recipe for disaster

• Ignoring customer feedback is a ___ for any new business.

  💡 A combination of elements that will lead to a bad result.

  Show answer

  recipe for disaster