change things up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "change things up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to mean doing something differently, introducing something new, or making a shift in a process. For example: "Let's change things up and try out a new restaurant this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"I love to change things up".

The New York Times

For 2009, "bums on seats" apparently trumps "change things up".

The Guardian - Opinion

We want to play physical, and we want to change things up and not be predictable".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm not going to go out there and start a parade just to change things up".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was a good lineup for us, change things up a little bit.

The New York Times - Sports

I wanted to change things up a little, but still do things that we do well".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

We changed things up a little".

The New York Times - Sports

But the Jets changed things up, adding different twists.

The New York Times - Sports

(Though he recently changed things up a bit, cutting off his signature braids).

The New York Times - Arts

During two-hour classes he changes things up just as often, to keep the students engaged.

The New York Times

You'll notice that we've changed things up a little over here at CG central.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "change things up" to suggest introducing novelty or variety when a situation becomes stagnant or predictable.

Common error

While "change things up" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Opt for more specific alternatives like "vary the routine" or "adopt a new tactic" when appropriate to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "change things up" functions as an idiomatic expression used to suggest introducing variety or making alterations to an existing situation or routine. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

14%

Sports

11%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "change things up" is a common and correct idiomatic phrase used to suggest introducing variety or alterations to a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability. While versatile, it is more suited to informal and neutral contexts, and overuse should be avoided. Semantically related alternatives include "shake things up" and "vary the routine". The phrase frequently appears in News & Media and Wiki contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shake things up

Similar in meaning, but implies a more significant or disruptive change.

switch things around

Focuses on rearranging existing elements rather than introducing entirely new ones.

try a different approach

Emphasizes adopting a new method or strategy.

vary the routine

Highlights the act of introducing variety into an established pattern.

make some adjustments

Implies fine-tuning or minor alterations.

alter the course

Suggests redirecting or modifying the direction of something.

modify the strategy

Refers to changing a plan or method to achieve a specific goal.

introduce something new

Focuses on adding a novel element or component.

implement a variation

Signifies putting a modified version into practice.

adopt a new tactic

Highlights the use of a different strategy to achieve a desired outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "change things up" in a sentence?

You can use "change things up" to suggest introducing something new or different. For example, "We should "change things up" and try a new restaurant this weekend".

What are some alternatives to "change things up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "shake things up", "try a different approach", or "vary the routine".

Is it formal to say "change things up"?

The phrase "change things up" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, it's better to use more professional alternatives such as "modify the strategy" or "make some adjustments".

What's the difference between "change things up" and "shake things up"?

While both phrases suggest making a change, "shake things up" implies a more significant and potentially disruptive change compared to the more general ""change things up"".