an overwhelming tide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overwhelming tide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a powerful or intense influx of something, such as emotions, events, or situations. Example: "As the news spread, there was an overwhelming tide of support from the community for the victims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But by the end of the show there was an overwhelming tide of emotion, and the actors felt that.

The New York Times

Ace Travel was among those selected by the embassy back in May to help speed what was then an overwhelming tide of visa applications.

The New York Times

"In the context of an overwhelming tide of negative reporting about ongoing investigations, including a Congressional investigation that flatly accused her of insider trading, the alleged misstatements were immaterial as a matter of law," the 10-page brief contends.

The New York Times

Basically, he sees the peripheral countries mainly as victims of an overwhelming tide of cheap money from the core, who are now suffering whiplash when that inflow came to a sudden stop: THE IMPLICATION IS that the very creation of the common currency area sowed the seeds for this crisis, not the behavior of the periphery countries.

The New York Times

As Andrew Pettegree, an expert on the Reformation at St Andrew's University, puts it in "Reformation and the Culture of Persuasion", "It was the superabundance, the cascade of titles, that created the impression of an overwhelming tide, an unstoppable movement of opinion…Pamphlets and their purchasers had together created the impression of irresistible force".

The Economist

This is where the wave of cognitive dissonance presents an overwhelming tide.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Not to overcome, but simply to resist the overwhelming tide that threatens to wash them away into an uncaring ocean of despair, every moment of every day.

TechCrunch

Rihanna and Shakira's antics are merely part of the overwhelming tide of sexy music videos from female pop artists, a practice so dull in its homogeny that it no longer really shocks or excites for longer than the song's duration.

Independent

And he saw the beginnings of the overwhelming tide of fraud, in evidence gathered by the group's twenty-four hundred workers from around the country.

The New Yorker

But he believed that Labour would be hit hardest by the overwhelming tide of public anger over the MPs' expenses scandal.

The Guardian

What FDR produced, both Republicans and Democrats have allowed greed to jeopardize, whether directly or by failing to stem the overwhelming tide of greed that is also drowning America in debt and destruction today.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overwhelming tide", ensure that the noun following the phrase is appropriate and adds depth to the visual metaphor. For example, "an overwhelming tide of emotion" or "an overwhelming tide of support".

Common error

Avoid using "an overwhelming tide" for static situations or things that do not naturally flow or accumulate. For example, saying "an overwhelming tide of furniture" would be an inappropriate use of the metaphor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overwhelming tide" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It's used to describe something that is powerful, intense, and difficult to control, with a sense of inevitability as stated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Huffington Post

10%

Independent

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overwhelming tide" is a noun phrase that is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe something powerful and difficult to control. As Ludwig AI stated, it often appears in news and media contexts to convey the magnitude and impact of events. While it is suitable for formal writing, it's important to use it appropriately and avoid misusing the metaphor in static situations. Alternative phrases like "a massive wave" or "a flood of" can be used to provide different nuances. Remember to leverage this phrase to depict rapidly increasing situations and emotions effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a massive wave

Replaces "tide" with "wave", emphasizing the surge-like nature of something.

a flood of emotions

Substitutes "overwhelming tide" with "flood of emotions", focusing on an emotional outpouring.

a deluge of information

Replaces "tide" with "deluge", indicating a heavy downpour or influx of data.

an unstoppable wave

Emphasizes the impossibility of stopping the force, replacing "tide" with "wave".

an irresistible force

Focuses on the inability to resist, using a more general term for a compelling power.

a rising swell

Uses "swell" to suggest a gradual increase in intensity or volume.

a groundswell of support

Specifically indicates a growing surge of support from the general public.

a sea of faces

Shifts the image to a visual one, describing a large crowd of people.

a cascade of events

Focuses on a series of events rapidly following one another.

an avalanche of problems

Highlights a sudden and overwhelming accumulation of difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "an overwhelming tide" in a sentence?

You can use "an overwhelming tide" to describe a situation where a force, feeling, or quantity is rapidly increasing and becoming difficult to manage. For example, "The politician faced "an overwhelming tide of criticism" after the controversial statement".

What are some alternatives to "an overwhelming tide"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a massive wave", "a flood of", or "an unstoppable force", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "an overwhelming tide" in formal writing?

Yes, "an overwhelming tide" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news and media, as well as academic contexts. However, consider the specific audience and the tone of your writing.

What is the difference between "an overwhelming tide" and "a rising tide"?

"An overwhelming tide" suggests a force that is difficult to resist or manage, while "a rising tide" typically implies a more gradual increase or improvement that benefits everyone involved.