an overnight thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overnight thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that happens quickly or suddenly, often implying that it is temporary or not lasting. Example: "I thought the changes would take time, but it turned out to be just an overnight thing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It was very gradual, it wasn't an overnight thing.

The Guardian

"It's not going to be an overnight thing".

The New York Times - Sports

"It is not going to be an overnight thing," he told the club's website.

Independent

To change the behavior of buyers and sellers is not an overnight thing.

The New York Times

It's not going to be an overnight thing, but I have confidence that we are on the right path".

The New York Times

It's not an overnight thing.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The pretty much overnight, thing became a lot more clear.

Huffington Post

The Office acts as a laptop case, a document filing system, and even has room for a few overnight things.

TechCrunch

"It's not just like some overnight thing I'm doing," he said.

The New York Times - Food

And, just because I've done it before, doesn't mean it will be some overnight thing.

Independent

"A lot of these things are not overnight things, they take time," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overnight thing", ensure the context clearly indicates that the subject is not expected to be long-lasting or permanent. This helps avoid misinterpretations about the duration of the event or change.

Common error

Avoid using "an overnight thing" when describing changes or events that require sustained effort or are intended to have long-term effects. This phrase can undermine the perceived importance or complexity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overnight thing" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object. It describes something that occurs rapidly or appears to happen without significant time or effort. Ludwig confirms that the phrase describes something that happens quickly or suddenly.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

19%

Huffington Post

19%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overnight thing" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe events or changes that happen quickly or appear to occur without much effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used to indicate that something is perceived as sudden or easily accomplished. While versatile, it's generally more appropriate for informal contexts. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the speed or apparent ease of an event. While it appears in numerous sources it's more suited for informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rapid occurrence

Focuses on the speed at which something happens.

a sudden event

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event.

a fleeting phenomenon

Highlights the temporary nature of the situation.

a momentary development

Stresses the brief duration of the development.

a short-lived episode

Indicates that the episode did not last long.

a quick transformation

Focuses on the speed of change or transformation.

an instantaneous change

Emphasizes the immediacy of the alteration.

a flash in the pan

Implies initial excitement but ultimate failure or lack of lasting impact.

a transient situation

Highlights the temporary and changing nature of the situation.

a passing phase

Suggests that the event is a temporary stage or period.

FAQs

How can I use "an overnight thing" in a sentence?

You can use "an overnight thing" to describe something that happens quickly or seems temporary. For example, "I thought learning to code would be difficult, but with this new tutorial, it was almost "an overnight thing"".

What are some alternatives to saying "an overnight thing"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a rapid occurrence", "a sudden event", or "a fleeting phenomenon" to convey a similar meaning of something happening quickly or temporarily.

Is "an overnight thing" formal or informal?

"An overnight thing" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversation or less formal writing. In professional or academic contexts, more precise language might be preferred.

What does it mean when someone describes something as "an overnight thing"?

It typically means that something happened very quickly or appeared to happen without much effort. It often implies that the result was sudden or unexpected.