ENGLISH
REFERENCE

has left the building

idiom
Meaning

Something is gone and never coming back.


Origin

disputed origin

Derived from Elvis has left the building.

Examples
SIMPLE

The chance to win the game has left the building.

CONTEXTUAL

After the last train departed the station, the possibility of getting home tonight has left the building.

COMPLEX

Once the final deadline passed without a submission, any hope of securing the contract had clearly left the building.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    be left at the post

    To be beaten from the beginning of a competition or race.

  2. 02

    be left holding the baby

    To be left with the responsibility of resolving a problem.

  3. 03

    Elvis has left the building

    A phrase used to announce the end of a show, usually one performed by an Elvis impersonator.

  4. 04

    exit stage left

    An orderly and uneventful departure, timed so as not to detract or distract.

  5. 05

    go jump off a building

    Used to tell someone to go away, or that their request will not be met.

  6. 06

    go left

    To take a turn for the worse, to go horribly wrong.

  7. 07

    left turn

    An unexpected change from the way things seemed to be going.

  8. 08

    two left feet

    Clumsiness, especially at dancing or in sports involving kicking a ball.

© 2026 English Reference