become a doorstop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become a doorstop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to describe something that is no longer useful or has become irrelevant, often in a dismissive context. Example: "After the new software update, my old laptop has become a doorstop, unable to run any of the latest applications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It will become a doorstop.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then your widget becomes a doorstop.

TechCrunch

In the end, users were frustrated, reviewers were angry, and the netbook became a doorstop.

TechCrunch

But even if something bad happened to the company and nobody chose to continue the service, the MusicGremlin itself would not become a high-tech doorstop.

Forbes

ALTHOUGH welcome as a magnificent tool, this doorstop compendium prompts an alarming question: has Shakespeare become a foreign language to us? Are non-English-speakers, as some Shakespeare scholars have suggested, more at home with their translated Shakespeare than English-speakers with their genuine article?

The Economist

"Do we want to become a sort of European socialist welfare state?" he asked when we chatted in his office, decorated with Elvis and Nascar memorabilia, with Paul Krugman's economics textbook demoted to a doorstop.

The New York Times

And the phone book, although skimpy, had already taken the form in which it would become the fat doorstop of today, with advertisements and listings of businesses in the back — 22 physicians and 22 carriage manufacturers, among others.

The New York Times - Science

He said the old processes associated with policy reform – delivering a large "tome" that didn't deliver the desired result – tended to mean the tome became little more than a doorstop.

The Guardian

Instead of taking 18 months to become doorstops, my new machines arrived pre-obsolete.

The Guardian - Tech

"It looked like a doorstop.

Independent

At five years, it's a doorstop.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become a doorstop" to vividly describe something that was once useful but is now relegated to a trivial, often physical, function due to obsolescence or failure.

Common error

Avoid using "become a doorstop" literally. It's a metaphor for uselessness, not a suggestion to actually use the object as a doorstop.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become a doorstop" functions as a metaphorical expression, vividly illustrating a state of obsolescence or uselessness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe something that has lost its primary function and is now only suitable for a trivial purpose, such as propping open a door.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become a doorstop" is a vivid and commonly used metaphor to describe something that has lost its original purpose and is now only good for a trivial task. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and particularly prevalent in News & Media contexts. While effective, consider the tone of your writing, because more direct or formal alternatives like "become obsolete" might be better choices in formal documents. Understanding these nuances will allow you to use the phrase effectively, ensuring your writing is clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become obsolete

Focuses on the state of being outdated or no longer in use.

become defunct

Emphasizes that something has ceased to exist or function.

turn into a paperweight

Similar to "become a doorstop" but uses a different object to illustrate uselessness.

end up gathering dust

Highlights the neglect and lack of use.

be rendered useless

Focuses on the action that causes the state of uselessness.

become irrelevant

Highlights the lack of importance or connection to current matters.

gather cobwebs

Emphasizes the long period of disuse and neglect.

be reduced to nothing

Highlights the diminished state of an object

serve no purpose

Directly states the lack of utility.

lose its usefulness

Focuses on the disappearance of utility.

FAQs

How can I use "become a doorstop" in a sentence?

You can use "become a doorstop" to describe something that has lost its primary function and is now only good for propping a door open, like "After the update, the old software became a doorstop".

What does it mean when something has "become a doorstop"?

When something has "become a doorstop", it means it is no longer useful for its intended purpose and is relegated to a trivial function.

Is it appropriate to use "become a doorstop" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "become a doorstop" is somewhat informal. In formal writing, consider using more direct alternatives such as "become obsolete" or "be rendered useless".

What are some alternatives to "become a doorstop"?

Some alternatives include "become obsolete", "be rendered useless", or "turn into a paperweight" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.