Curdled

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Curdled" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe milk that has soured or to metaphorically indicate something that has gone wrong or become unpleasant. An example: "The milk had curdled, leaving a sour taste." Alternative expressions include "soured" and "spoiled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pritchard, by his own reckoning, was too young for the Britpop moment, which "had all curdled" by the time he reached his teens, but he was certainly aware of the label and with all its associations, "the lads' mags and beers that came along with it".

The Guardian - Music

It is weak, watery, slightly curdled round the edges.

The Guardian - Film

After all, excess solitude has curdled my personality and my long-term health might be at risk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In a column for USA Today, Mr Medved credits his medium with building real opposition to Bill Clinton in 1993, but he worries that things have curdled since then.

The Economist

It is also no surprise that Mr Erdogan is brimming with confidence.Yet critics claim that Mr Erdogan's confidence has curdled into the sort of authoritarianism that, if left unchecked, might transform Turkey into another Russia.

The Economist

It was her doing, not Mr Obama's, that kept Mr McCain out of headlines from February to June.Liberal pundits will argue to the death with Mr Halperin: it was their belief that the media was overly fond of Mr McCain and gave him, not Mr Obama, a free ride until his choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate curdled their affections.

The Economist

Once celebrated for her taut writing and devotion to social justice, her image since her death in 1984, aged 79, has curdled into something villainous.

The Economist

Now they are sheepishly making history writing down curdled mortgage investments.

The Economist

Mixed feelings must have curdled the patriotic juices when Mo Farah, born in Somalia, won the 10,000 metres, hugged his daughter and pregnant light-skinned wife.

Independent

Despite conductor Laurence Cummings's broad, purposeful beat and chiaroscuro dynamics, the sound is calcified and curdled.

Independent

Seldom is there a sense of relationships tightening, of blood-lines or curdled love.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "curdled" metaphorically, ensure that the context clearly relates to a process of something turning undesirable or unpleasant, as the term is primarily associated with spoiled milk or dairy products. Maintaining this association will help readers grasp the intended meaning more effectively.

Common error

Refrain from using "curdled" to describe situations that do not involve a process of deterioration or spoiling. For instance, describing a complex problem as "curdled" might confuse readers, as it lacks the direct association with decay or souring.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "curdled" is a verb, often used in the past tense or as a past participle. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage both literally, referring to the spoiling of milk, and metaphorically, to describe the deterioration of emotions or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "curdled" functions primarily as a verb describing a process of souring or deterioration, both literally and metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its frequent usage across neutral to formal contexts, particularly in News & Media. While the term is widely accepted, it's crucial to ensure the context aligns with the sense of something turning unpleasant. Related phrases include "turned sour" and "spoiled". Avoiding misuse in unrelated contexts will enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turned sour

Indicates a change to an unpleasant or undesirable state, similar to milk turning bad.

gone bad

Suggests a state of decay or spoilage, applicable to food or metaphorical situations.

soured

Implies a process of becoming acidic or unpleasant, often used in the context of relationships or attitudes.

coagulated

Refers to the process of a liquid thickening into a semi-solid state, like blood or milk.

clotted

Describes the formation of lumps or thick masses in a liquid.

deteriorated

Indicates a decline in quality or condition.

degenerated

Suggests a decline into a lower or worse state.

gone off

Similar to "gone bad", implying spoilage or decay.

turned

A general term for becoming sour or spoiled, especially in the context of milk.

spoiled

Indicates that something has become unfit for consumption or use due to decay.

FAQs

How can I use "curdled" in a sentence?

You can use "curdled" to describe milk that has spoiled, as in "The milk had "curdled" in the heat." It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that has turned unpleasant, such as "His initial enthusiasm "curdled" into bitterness."

What are some synonyms for "curdled"?

Some synonyms for "curdled" include "soured", "spoiled", "coagulated", and "clotted". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the relationship curdled"?

Yes, it is correct to use "curdled" metaphorically to describe a relationship that has turned sour or unpleasant. For example: "Their friendship gradually "curdled" after the argument."

What's the difference between "curdled" and "coagulated"?

"Curdled" typically refers to milk or similar substances separating into solids and liquids due to spoilage or acidification. "Coagulated" is a more general term for a liquid thickening into a semi-solid state, applicable to things like blood or egg whites. Both "curdled" and "coagulated" describe the same process.