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
But Campbell is a unique blend of skills who could be under consideration at No. 30 if all else fails with their board.
—
Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Many would say to just call Mama when all else fails, but if that’s not an option, see if this hand-me-down advice can help get you back on track—one sanity-saving load at a time.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
Especially bad cankers may be treated with a medication called CellCept, which does suppress the immune system to bring down inflammation—but only if all else fails.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 26 Feb. 2025
And when all else fails, costumes help differentiate characters, too.
—Gordon Cox, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for if/when all else fails
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Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Many would say to just call Mama when all else fails, but if that’s not an option, see if this hand-me-down advice can help get you back on track—one sanity-saving load at a time.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
Especially bad cankers may be treated with a medication called CellCept, which does suppress the immune system to bring down inflammation—but only if all else fails.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 26 Feb. 2025
And when all else fails, costumes help differentiate characters, too.
—Gordon Cox, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 21 May. 2025.
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