We're doomed
Meaning
An exclamation conveying a feeling of utter despair or certainty that a terrible outcome is inevitable.
Origin
The word "doom" itself is a venerable one, tracing back to Old English dom, meaning 'judgment' or 'decree'. For centuries, to be 'doomed' was to face an inescapable, often divine, sentence. But the phrase "We're doomed!"—that punchy, desperate cry—found its true voice in the dramatic arts of the 20th century. It became the ultimate cinematic shorthand for impending catastrophe, shouted by frightened sailors, terrified scientists, or cartoon characters facing an absurd end. This stark, universal declaration perfectly captures the human instinct to surrender to the inevitable, cementing its place as an iconic expression of hopeless finality.
Examples
- After the engine failed and the last life raft floated away, the captain looked at his crew and muttered, 'We're doomed.'
- With only five minutes left and the other team up by twenty points, the coach sighed, 'We're doomed to lose this game.'