bored stiff

USAGE SUMMARY

"bored stiff" is a valid phrase to use in written English.
You can use it to express how exhausted or frustrated you are with an activity or situation. For example, "I've been studying for this test all day and I'm bored stiff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He was bored stiff out there".

The New Yorker

He was bored stiff by the peacetime army.

The Guardian - Books

He said it was nice but that he had been bored stiff.

The New Yorker

Andy Bull If I knew that, I'd be both better off and bored stiff.

The Guardian - Sport

It's also true that baseball has an aura that speaks to some and leaves others bored stiff.

The New Yorker

This book's abundant treacheries and tricks arise from the fact that its heroine, Kate Moore, is bored stiff.

The New York Times - Books

"Not only am I bored stiff — I'm faint with hunger," Truffaldino says in Act I, waiting for his master.

The New York Times

"We were sitting outside, bored stiff from talking to each other, and I said, 'You know what?

The Washington Post

I was never at personal risk in my secret work; I was frequently bored stiff by it.

The Guardian - Books

But if you met him or her at 21, then by 25 you might be bored stiff with it.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Mal declared himself to be "bored stiff" with the easy readers, Elspeth encouraged him to write a novel.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bored stiff" to convey a strong sense of tedium or lack of interest, particularly in informal contexts where a more emphatic expression is appropriate.

Common error

While "bored stiff" is a valid idiom, avoid using it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral phrases like "uninterested" or "disengaged" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bored stiff" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a subject to express a state of extreme boredom. According to Ludwig, it's a valid way to express exhaustion or frustration with a situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Books

12%

Opinion

3%

Less common in

Sport

3%

Lifestyle

1%

Arts

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bored stiff" is a commonly used phrase to express a strong feeling of boredom or lack of interest. Ludwig AI confirms it's a valid expression in written English. It's best suited for informal contexts, as noted in the writing guidance, and should be avoided in formal or academic settings in favor of more neutral alternatives. Ludwig examples demonstrate its broad usage across news, books, and conversational contexts, with the primary sources being news and media. While grammatically sound and widely understood, it's important to consider the audience and context to ensure appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely bored

Direct synonym replacing the idiom with a more literal phrase.

utterly uninterested

Shifts focus from boredom to lack of interest, conveying a similar meaning.

fed up

Indicates a feeling of discontentment and boredom, often with an added sense of annoyance.

weary of

Implies a tiredness and boredom resulting from prolonged exposure to something.

sick and tired of

Emphasizes the speaker's frustration and boredom, making it more intense.

losing the will to live

Humorous hyperbole indicating extreme boredom and despair.

dying of boredom

Hyperbolic expression to emphasize intense boredom.

completely jaded

Suggests a loss of enthusiasm due to overexposure or disillusionment.

apathetic

Expresses a lack of interest or concern, often resulting from boredom.

disinterested

More formal way to indicate a lack of interest or engagement.

FAQs

How can I use "bored stiff" in a sentence?

You can use "bored stiff" to express extreme boredom. For example, "I was "bored stiff" during the long lecture".

What can I say instead of "bored stiff"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely bored", "utterly uninterested", or "fed up" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "bored stiff" in professional communication?

While generally acceptable, "bored stiff" is best reserved for informal communication. More formal options such as "disinterested" or "lacking interest" may be more suitable for professional settings.

What's the difference between "bored stiff" and "bored to tears"?

Both phrases express boredom, but "bored stiff" suggests a state of extreme tedium or restlessness, while "bored to tears" implies a more melancholic or emotional response to boredom.