be going steady

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be going steady" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a romantic relationship where two people are committed to each other. Example: "After dating for a few months, they decided to be going steady and officially became a couple."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Roundabout Theater Company's revival of "Bye Bye Birdie" will be going steady with Broadway a little longer.

The New York Times

Vanessa Hudgens is Gabriella, the talented young singer and dancer with whom Troy appears to be going steady in a sweet'n'innocent way, though the film has a quasi-Bollywood reluctance to show kissing on the lips.

The Guardian - Film

Weigel describes an illustrative scene from a forties teen novel in which a group of boys — "The Checkers," they're ominously called — hang out in front of a favorite date spot in their Wisconsin town in order to report, the narrator says, "any violations on the part of the girls who are supposed to be going steady".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I was going steady with Stephanie at the time.

The Guardian - Books

By the autumn they were going steady, but theirs was a volatile relationship.

The Guardian - Music

As Act I opens, Brenda and Eddie are going steady (see Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant").

The New Yorker

"Not so fast," whispered Lindsay, "I'm going steady with Mr Darcy from the building society".

The Guardian - Books

Madge — who is going steady with the town rich boy, Alan Seymour Ben Rappaportt) — is tired of being stared at.

The New York Times

He discourages this, telling her his name is Gregory Masters when she asks him, and saying that he is going steady.

The New Yorker

Probably the same way parents once tried to break up couples who had been going steady too long: introduce some fresh faces.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Great place to bring a date," said Mr. Mauchi, 18, an electrician who is going steady with Ms. Gonzalez, a student at Stamford High School.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember that while 'going steady' is about commitment, it can also imply a lack of evolution. When referring to long term relationships, opt for 'being a couple' or 'being in a relationship'.

Common error

Avoid using "be going steady" to describe casual dating scenarios. This phrase implies a level of commitment and exclusivity that isn't present in casual relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be going steady" functions as a descriptor of a relationship status, indicating a level of commitment and exclusivity. It is used to convey that two people are officially a couple and are not dating others. As Ludwig AI shows, many examples use it to describe past relationships.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be going steady" signifies a committed, exclusive romantic relationship, though it's less common in contemporary language. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound, yet somewhat dated. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it effectively conveys relationship status but might require audience consideration for modern relevance. Alternatives like "be in a relationship" or "be exclusively dating" are often more suitable in current usage. When choosing your phrase, consider the audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be committed to each other

This highlights the mutual dedication and seriousness of the relationship.

See each other exclusively

Focuses on the exclusivity of the relationship, similar to 'be exclusively dating'.

Be exclusively dating

This phrase emphasizes that the two people are only seeing each other and are not dating others.

Be in a relationship

This is a more general term for being romantically involved, but it doesn't necessarily imply the same level of commitment as "be going steady".

Be an established couple

This emphasizes that the relationship has been ongoing for some time and is stable.

Be a couple

Similar to 'be in a relationship', this term indicates a romantic pairing, but it might not convey the same sense of established commitment.

Be together

A simple and widely understood way to describe a romantic relationship.

Be an item

This is a slightly more informal way of saying that two people are romantically involved.

Be attached

Implies a bond or emotional connection between two people, signifying a romantic relationship.

Be engaged

This signifies a formal agreement to marry, representing a higher level of commitment than "be going steady".

FAQs

What does it mean to "be going steady"?

To "be going steady" means to be in a committed and exclusive romantic relationship with someone. It's an older term that was more commonly used in the mid-20th century.

Is "be going steady" still used today?

While the phrase "be going steady" is still understood, it's less common in modern usage. Alternatives like "be in a relationship" or "be exclusively dating" are more frequently used.

What are some alternatives to "be going steady"?

You can use phrases like "be in a relationship", "be exclusively dating", "be a couple", or "be committed to each other" depending on the context.

How formal is the phrase "be going steady"?

The phrase "be going steady" is considered informal and somewhat dated. It's best suited for casual conversation or when referring to a past era. In more formal settings, it's preferable to use phrases like "be in a committed relationship".