# has left the building

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/has-left-the-building
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Something is gone and never coming back.

## Examples

- The chance to win the game has left the building.
- After the last train departed the station, the possibility of getting home tonight has left the building.
- Once the final deadline passed without a submission, any hope of securing the contract had clearly left the building.

## Origin

Derived from Elvis has left the building.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.