a live wound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a live wound" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to describe a situation or emotional state that is still painful or unresolved. Example: "The loss of her friend was still a live wound, affecting her daily life and interactions with others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It remains a live wound.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Here we present a public dataset of live wound healing time-lapse data.

GigaScience

Just as dancers take classes throughout their lives, WOUND aims to become a permanent practice space for group work in the visual arts".

Vice

Numerous biological therapeutics developed to promote the closure of these wounds include acellular dermal analogs, a viable dermal equivalent, a living placental membrane-based wound cover, cadaveric allografts, and a bilayered skin substitute.

Skin Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

The airstrikes by Russian and Syrian government warplanes have claimed hundreds of lives, wounded many others and demolished entire buildings in the city, Syria's largest.

The Guardian

Still, he came home and survived his wounds -- a living symbol of the hard work and major medical advances that are saving thousands of badly wounded warriors like Southern.

Huffington Post

Young's department had firsthand experience with a GBM survivor: a woman with a wound infection who lived for more than a decade.

The New Yorker

It is a living thing, and has been wounded by the acquittal of another in a long string of killers of unarmed black men and youth.

Huffington Post

In an infected wound, bacteria live in a biofilm, a group of micro-organisms where cells stick to each other.

The Guardian - Business

Desperate, ruthless monsters living their lives like an open wound in search of another 15 minutes at any cost to dignity and decency.

Huffington Post

The Israelis responded with live fire, wounding about a dozen people, one of whom, Mahmoud Zaqout, 20, died later at a hospital, a medical spokesman said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a live wound" to add emotional depth to your writing when describing ongoing pain or unresolved issues. It's particularly effective in narratives and descriptive passages.

Common error

Avoid using "a live wound" too frequently, as it can lose its impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "a fresh wound" or "an open wound" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a live wound" functions as a metaphorical noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It signifies a source of ongoing pain or unresolved trauma, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a live wound" is a common metaphorical expression used to describe a situation or emotional state that continues to cause pain or distress. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, signifying its broad applicability. While effective for adding emotional depth, it's crucial to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "a fresh wound" or "an open wound" to maintain reader engagement. It serves to emphasize the ongoing nature of the pain or trauma, as opposed to a past, healed wound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fresh wound

Emphasizes the recent nature of the pain or trauma.

an open wound

Highlights the vulnerability and lack of healing.

a raw nerve

Focuses on the sensitivity and pain caused by touching upon a particular subject or memory.

a sensitive issue

Indicates a topic that is likely to cause disagreement or offense.

an unresolved conflict

Highlights the lack of resolution and potential for continued tension.

a lingering trauma

Emphasizes the long-lasting impact of a traumatic experience.

an aching void

Focuses on the feeling of emptiness and loss.

a painful memory

Directly refers to a memory that causes emotional distress.

a festering resentment

Highlights the growing bitterness and anger associated with a past event.

an unhealed scar

Suggests that although the surface may appear healed, the underlying pain remains.

FAQs

How can I use "a live wound" in a sentence?

You can use "a live wound" to describe a situation or emotional state that is still painful or unresolved. For example: "The political division caused by the election remains "a live wound" in the community".

What phrases are similar to "a live wound"?

Similar phrases include "an open wound", "a fresh wound", or "a raw nerve". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a live wound" a literal or figurative expression?

"A live wound" is typically used figuratively to describe emotional or psychological pain that is still active and affecting someone or something.

What's the difference between "a live wound" and "an old wound"?

"A live wound" refers to a current, ongoing source of pain, while "an old wound" refers to a past trauma that may still have some lingering effects but is not as intensely painful.