if/when all else fails

phrase

: 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

And when all else fails and the pressures of senior management become overwhelming? — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026

And if all else fails, find help, including from neighbors and family or hiring someone. — Manahil Ahmad, The Providence Journal, 23 Feb. 2026

On offense, Seattle has multiple options and can always throw to Jaxson Smith-Njigba if all else fails. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026

And if all else fails, throw a boneless rib eye or skirt steak in the freezer until firm and use a sharp knife to slice it yourself. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026