all bedlam breaks loose

phrase

The situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.

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Meanings

phrase
  1. idiomaticThe situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.

Origin

Probably coined to act as an alternative to all hell breaks loose that would not be perceived to be potentially insensitive, impious, or otherwise inappropriate.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

all bedlam breaks loose. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/all%20bedlam%20breaks%20loose

MLA

“all bedlam breaks loose.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/all%20bedlam%20breaks%20loose. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “all bedlam breaks loose,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/all%20bedlam%20breaks%20loose.

Source: all bedlam breaks loose on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.