in great confusion
1
5.2
- idiom
- The people were in great confusion, but this in no way interfered with the unmatched heroism they displayed.
Examples
-
The students were in great confusion when they realized the exam was today instead of next week.
-
During the storm, the crowd found themselves in great confusion as they tried to find shelter.
-
The sudden change in plans left everyone in great confusion as they scrambled to adjust.
Synonyms
762
1.3
Not able to think clearly or understand what is happening
307
4.8
In a confused, disorganized way with things or thoughts scattered
116
4.7
Not organized and full of confusion
68
3.0
Unable to understand something because you feel confused
51
4.2
Not knowing what to do or say
48
3.9
Feeling confused when you cannot understand something
38
5.3
Feeling confused and not knowing what is happening or what to do
30
5.1
Feeling confused because you do not understand something
26
4.9
Confused and unsure because different ideas or instructions do not agree
18
5.4
Confused and not in clear order so hard to understand
13
6.7
Unable to understand what is happening
11
5.3
Very noisy and upset because people are angry or worried
10
7.4
Confused and unable to think clearly
7
6.8
Feeling very confused and not able to understand something unexpected
6
9.9
Confused and unable to think clearly after something unexpected
5
1.6
Something that is untidy and not in order
3
4.2
In a hurry and moving clumsily without control
3
8.2
A sudden state of confusion and panic that makes someone lose control
2
2.5
Being in a state of disorder or confusion
1
5.1
Feeling confused or lost about your place among others
1
7.0
In a mixed up, messy way
1
9.9
A confused, disorganized state where people do not know what to do
1
4.0
In a way that shows you are not sure or do not understand
1
9.6
Confused and unable to think clearly
1
8.1
To fall down suddenly into a messy pile
1
7.1
In a confused way when you do not understand something
1
9.9
In a confused, hurried way with no order
In a confused, messy way
In a confused and disorganized state
In a confused and foggy way that makes it hard to think
Confused and not sure what to do
Being confused and worried about what to do
Confused and not able to think clearly
Antonyms
How Confused
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is transparently compositional: 'in' marks a state or location, 'great' intensifies degree, and 'confusion' names the mental state, so a learner who knows the words can infer 'in a state of much confusion/disarray'. This structure and meaning pattern is cross-linguistically common and follows normal adjective intensifier + noun composition, making it immediately understandable to B1 learners.
Etymology
In great confusion paints a clear picture of a scene where people and things are all mixed up—papers on the floor, people moving fast and unsure where to go. That's why being in a state of confusion means being 'in chaos'.