Get restive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Get restive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone becomes impatient or agitated, often due to restrictions or delays. Example: "As the meeting dragged on without any clear direction, the attendees began to get restive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But as people get restive, this may change.

The Economist

The trade unions are beginning to get restive too.

The Economist

Tottenham Hotspur fans do frequently get restive when their team are playing scratchy football and are failing to make any headway against teams they should, on paper, be beating quite comfortably.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The City is also getting restive.

Independent

As a result, the gangs are getting restive.

The Economist

The murky underworld of mutri — or Bulgarian gangsters or mugs — is also getting restive.

The New York Times

But that won't stop investors from getting restive if Exxon's misses become more common.

The New York Times

More in the mood to talk than listen, though (especially to rules), the group got restive.

The New York Times

The Catholic church got restive, especially when the general ignored calls for land reform from the indigenous poor.

The Economist

By all accounts, Coughlin tempered his disciplinarian's streak after the 2006 season, when the team went 8-8 and the locker room got restive.

The New Yorker

"It was a long and agonizing period, and the longer it went on, the more people got restive," says Mr. Varnedoe of the slow-motion succession.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get restive" to describe a group or individual becoming noticeably impatient or agitated, especially due to delays or constraints. It's useful for conveying a growing sense of unease or dissatisfaction.

Common error

While "get restive" is acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can sound less sophisticated. Consider using more formal alternatives like "become restless" or "grow impatient" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get restive" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate to describe a subject's state of becoming impatient or agitated. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English. It suggests a transition into a state of unease.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get restive" effectively communicates a growing sense of impatience or agitation. Ludwig AI indicates that is a grammatically sound expression. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it is used to describe a shift from calm to unease. While not overly formal, using alternative expressions like "become restless" or "grow impatient" can enhance sophistication in formal writing. The phrase is typically triggered by delays, restrictions, or unfulfilled expectations. Therefore, understand the context is crucial when using "get restive".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Become restless

Changes the verb to 'become', offering a slightly more formal tone and focusing on the process of becoming restless.

Grow impatient

Emphasizes the feeling of impatience as the primary emotion.

Become agitated

Suggests a higher level of emotional disturbance than simply being restive.

Grow uneasy

Highlights the feeling of anxiety or discomfort.

Get antsy

A more informal and colloquial way of expressing restlessness.

Become fidgety

Focuses on physical expressions of restlessness.

Grow tired of waiting

Specifies that the restlessness is due to waiting.

Lose patience

Implies a complete loss of patience rather than a gradual increase in restlessness.

Become difficult to manage

Shifts the focus to the difficulty in handling someone who is restive.

Start to chafe

Suggests feeling confined or restricted, leading to restlessness.

FAQs

How can I use "get restive" in a sentence?

You can use "get restive" to describe a state of increasing impatience or agitation, like: "The crowd began to "get restive" as the concert was delayed."

What's a more formal way to say "get restive"?

For more formal situations, you could use phrases like "become restless", "grow impatient", or "become agitated".

Is "get restive" the same as "become restless"?

While similar, "get restive" often implies an earlier stage of impatience or agitation, whereas "become restless" might suggest a more pronounced state.

What causes people to "get restive"?

People typically "get restive" due to delays, confinement, unmet expectations, or a lack of progress, leading to growing impatience or unease.