bought into the swamp

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bought into the swamp" is not correct in standard English usage and may be confusing without context.
It could be used metaphorically to describe someone who has become involved in a difficult or problematic situation, but it is not a common expression. Example: "After investing in that failing project, he really bought into the swamp and couldn't find a way out."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You took care of your own, bought into the swamp, and ignored the indicators of collapse.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Everybody has bought into the ethos.

BBC

"John buys into the program.

The New York Times - Sports

Voting buys into the status quo.

Independent

Bishop won't buy into the booze.

The Guardian

"These kids buy into the process.

The New York Times

But few buy into the principles.

The New York Times - Books

He buys into the person.

Forbes

Don't buy into the competitive dogma.

WikiHow

Don't buy into the stereotypes.

WikiHow

The players bought into his vision, wholeheartedly.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If using "bought into the swamp" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates involvement in a complex and potentially corrupt situation.

Common error

Avoid using "bought into the swamp" literally, as it doesn't have a common, non-metaphorical meaning. Ensure your audience understands the intended figurative sense of becoming entangled in something negative or corrupt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bought into the swamp" functions metaphorically, suggesting that someone has become deeply involved in a complex or corrupt situation. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is not correct in standard English usage and may be confusing without context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "bought into the swamp" can be used to express involvement in a difficult or corrupt situation, it's not a standard or widely recognized idiom. Ludwig AI marks it as not correct in standard English usage. Its primary function is metaphorical, conveying entanglement in something undesirable. It is mostly found in News & Media or Wiki contexts. For clearer communication, consider using alternatives like "got caught in a quagmire" or "fell into a pitfall".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got caught in a quagmire

Focuses on being trapped or entangled in a difficult situation.

fell into a pitfall

Emphasizes a hidden danger or trap that one succumbed to.

became mired in difficulties

Highlights the gradual sinking into a state of trouble and complexity.

got drawn into a mess

Focuses on the entanglement in a chaotic or problematic situation.

found oneself in a predicament

Emphasizes an uncomfortable or difficult situation one is unexpectedly in.

became embroiled in controversy

Highlights involvement in a heated public dispute.

descended into chaos

Focuses on a decline into a state of disorder and confusion.

entered a downward spiral

Emphasizes a continuous decline from a stable or desirable condition.

succumbed to temptation

Highlights giving in to something negative or undesirable.

stumbled into a trap

Focuses on accidentally encountering and being caught by deception.

FAQs

What does "bought into the swamp" mean?

The phrase "bought into the swamp" isn't a standard idiom, but it can be used metaphorically to describe someone who has become deeply involved in a complex, messy, or corrupt situation. It suggests that they've invested in something problematic and are now stuck dealing with the consequences.

Is "bought into the swamp" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "bought into the swamp" is not a common or widely recognized phrase. Its usage is primarily metaphorical and may not be immediately understood by all audiences. It's generally safer to use more established idioms.

What are some alternatives to "bought into the swamp"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "got caught in a quagmire", "fell into a pitfall", or "became mired in difficulties" to convey a similar sense of being trapped in a difficult situation.

How can I use "bought into the swamp" in a sentence?

When using "bought into the swamp", ensure that the context is clearly metaphorical. For example, "After investing in that failing project, he really bought into the swamp and couldn't find a way out."