ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

All Is Lost

Okay, so imagine you are playing a game with your friends - a very important game that you care a lot about winning. You have been playing for a while and everything is going great, but all of sudden, something really bad happens. Maybe you accidentally knock over the game pieces or your friend makes a move that really messes up your plans.

That feeling you get when you know there is no way you can win anymore, no matter what you do, is what people mean when they say "all is lost". It's like the game is over, and there is nothing you can do to make it better.

Sometimes in life, we have these moments too. Maybe you were working really hard on a project at school or trying to save up money for something really important, and something goes wrong that makes it seem like all your hard work was for nothing. It can feel really frustrating and sad, but it's important to remember that even if all seems lost for now, it doesn't mean you can never try again or find a new way to achieve your goals.