be pried loose

USAGE SUMMARY

"be pried loose" is a valid phrase that could be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone or something has been removed from a secure spot with the help of a tool such as a crowbar. For example: "The old, rusty padlock had to be pried loose from the door".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"The past has lodged in my brain and cannot be pried loose," says Geneviève, looking back.

The New York Times - Books

"At the very least," he said, "boards must be pried loose from the grip of management and its hired hands".

The New York Times

The Nets are one of six teams believed to be bidding to acquire Hardaway from the Magic, and there are other notable names that can be pried loose, like Golden State's Joe Smith and possibly even Chicago's Scottie Pippen.

The New York Times - Sports

Here's one of them now, hovering over my shoulder and my paella, telling me that I'm missing the best rice, the ever-so-slightly burned rice, those crunchy, sticky grains at the bottom of the pan that won't be pried loose with any lazy little flick of the wrist.

The New York Times - Food

Other players who might be pried loose include point guard Damon Stoudamire along with a big man from Portland; Penny Hardaway from Phoenix Minnesotaa's Wally Szczerbiak, if the Knicks were to take the injury-plagued Terrell Brandon, too; and the Bulls' Marcus Fizer or Jamal Crawford.

The New York Times - Sports

Besides, by the time television began to strike him as a viable medium, around the mid-1960s, Britten and his large musical family of trusted friends and colleagues were permanently settled in the Suffolk sea coast town of Aldeburgh and could be pried loose only with difficulty.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Eventually the girl's arm is pried loose, but nobody is calm and, as in so many of these stories, nothing is truly under control.

The New York Times - Books

But millions of progressives had been pried loose from the Republican Party, and that process culminated in the historic realignment of party loyalties under the New Deal.

The New Yorker

The tomb of a nobleman, the First Earl of Greta, appears to have lain untouched (on the eponymous island) for hundreds of years, but when its stone lid is pried loose there is one body too many inside.

Independent

But on October 23rd the transfer actually took place, in Khaika Malakov's front yard, where Michelle was pried loose from her mother's arms and carried sobbing into the house.

The New Yorker

My heart lies with Southampton; every July, its brightest stars are pried loose by the bigger clubs, and every August the team returns as cocky and vital as ever.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be pried loose" when you want to emphasize the effort or force required to remove something that is stuck or tightly held. This phrase works well when describing physical objects or abstract concepts like secrets or power.

Common error

Avoid using "be pried loose" in situations where the removal is easy or doesn't involve any force. Using it in a context where something is simply detached or removed without effort can sound awkward and unnatural. For example, saying "The sticker was pried loose" when it peeled off easily is inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be pried loose" functions as a passive construction, typically used to describe an object or entity that undergoes the action of being forcibly removed. As Ludwig AI shows, this can apply to both physical objects and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

29%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be pried loose" is a phrase used to describe something being forcibly detached or removed, implying effort and resistance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness in various contexts. While not extremely common, the phrase appears mostly in news and media and wiki sources, and conveys a sense of difficulty in the removal process. Related phrases include "be dislodged" and "be extracted". Remember to use it when emphasizing the effort needed for removal and avoid it when describing effortless detachment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be forcibly removed

Directly indicates that something has been taken away against resistance.

be prised apart

Specifies the action of using leverage to separate something.

be dislodged

Focuses on the act of something being moved from its position, often with some effort.

be extracted

Emphasizes the removal of something, often with a more formal or technical connotation.

be wrested free

Suggests a struggle or effort to liberate something from a hold.

be broken free

Highlights the forceful breaking away from a bond or restraint.

be detached

Highlights the separation of something from a larger entity, without necessarily implying force.

be unfastened

Focuses on the undoing of a fastening or connection.

be liberated

Implies freeing something from constraint or confinement.

be unplugged

Denotes the removal of something that was connected, often electronically.

FAQs

How can I use "be pried loose" in a sentence?

Use "be pried loose" to describe something that is removed with considerable effort or force. For instance, "The old sign had to be pried loose from the building" or "The truth was eventually pried loose from the reluctant witness".

What does "be pried loose" mean?

The phrase "be pried loose" means to be forcibly detached or removed from something, often implying that the object was stuck or difficult to move. It suggests that some kind of tool or leverage was needed.

What are some synonyms for "be pried loose"?

Alternatives to "be pried loose" include "be dislodged", "be extracted", or "be forcibly removed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "be pried loose" in formal writing?

Yes, "be pried loose" can be used in formal writing, especially when describing a situation where forceful removal is involved. However, consider the context and ensure the tone aligns with the formality of the piece.