Get undermined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Get undermined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where someone or something is being weakened or damaged, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "His authority began to get undermined after the scandal broke, leading to a loss of trust among his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Onshore windfarms, proven to be low-cost and low-carbon, get undermined by the government, with local opposition given power to block applications.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And the message oftentimes gets undermined by the popular culture.

The New York Times

Happy people's happiness gets undermined and, tragically, sad people's sadness gets termed acceptable.

The Guardian - Opinion

What happens if that loophole gets undermined by for-profit companies?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Academic inquiry gets undermined when we see that a set of people, just by being very wealthy, get to control this kind of decision.

The Guardian

You don't have to harpoon this movie because it harpoons itself — obsessively and thoroughly, such that every idea or theme gets undermined by a half-baked, self-reflexive joke.

The New Yorker

Understandably, existing cannabis vendors aren't stoked about the prospect of getting undermined by liquor stores.

Vice

It would be very sad if that was undermined, and it looks to me like that keeps getting undermined".

Huffington Post

Lauren Rosewarne noted that "by attributing women's undesirable emotions to menstruation, the woman gets undermined based on her biology.

Huffington Post

It's also a cycle that gets undermined when kids are confused, when the goal is trivialized, and when motivations become extrinsic rather than intrinsic (for a great discussion of intrinsic motivation, see Alfie Kohn's book Punished by Rewards).

Huffington Post

"I feel our work in this facility gets undermined by other professionals probably because of the level of our education".

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get undermined" when you want to emphasize the process of something being weakened or subverted, often by external factors or influences. It's suitable for discussing gradual or subtle deteriorations.

Common error

Avoid using "get undermined" when you intend to describe a direct, forceful action to defeat or dismantle something. Instead, consider phrases like "be defeated" or "be dismantled" for more impactful scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get undermined" functions as a passive construction, describing a state of being where something is weakened or subverted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase for indicating a process of weakening.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get undermined" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing a process of weakening or subversion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions primarily to express a state of diminishing strength or effectiveness, often due to external influences or gradual changes. While most commonly found in news and media, its neutral register makes it adaptable to various contexts. When writing, consider whether you're aiming to describe a gradual process versus a direct action, and use synonyms to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be weakened

Directly implies a reduction in strength or effectiveness.

Be diminished

Emphasizes a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

Be subverted

Focuses on the act of overturning or corrupting something, often from within.

Be destabilized

Focuses on the disruption of stability or equilibrium.

Be eroded

Suggests a gradual wearing away of strength or importance.

Be sabotaged

Highlights the deliberate act of undermining or damaging something.

Be compromised

Indicates that something has been damaged or weakened, often due to external factors.

Be thwarted

Suggests that something has been prevented from succeeding.

Be invalidated

Implies that something has been rendered null or without effect.

Be negated

Focuses on the act of canceling out or denying the effect of something.

FAQs

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

Use "get undermined" to describe situations where something is gradually weakened or subverted. For example, "The project began to get undermined by lack of funding."

What can I say instead of "get undermined"?

You can use alternatives like "be weakened", "be subverted", or "be eroded" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "get undermined" or "be undermined"?

Both "get undermined" and "be undermined" are grammatically correct, but "get undermined" often implies a process or gradual change, while "be undermined" describes a state.

What's the difference between "get undermined" and "sabotaged"?

"Get undermined" suggests a weakening or subversion, often gradual, while "sabotaged" implies a deliberate action to damage or destroy. Sabotage suggests a more direct and intentional act.