covered in muck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "covered in muck" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is dirty or soiled, often in a messy or unpleasant way. Example: "After the heavy rain, the children came back from the playground covered in muck, their clothes and shoes caked with mud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Even though Bill is covered in muck and looks like a swamp, there's sex to be getting on with.

The Guardian

The shell came into the washing machine through a hole in the wall, beyond that the Nazal children's bedroom: a litter of cuddly animals, swaddled in dust and crumbled chunks of wall; a kid's toy-car dashboard, the speedo set to 140mph; kids' clothes, shredded; a Super School Bus Band music machine covered in muck; a mirror smashed to pieces.

The Guardian

The roads alternated between damp and sodden as showers scudded from west to east and a breeze whipped across Sherwood Forest and The Dukeries, an area south of Worksop known for its stately homes, with the peloton racing past elegant piles such as Clumber Park and Thoresby Hall before rolling into Mansfield hollow-eyed and covered in muck after a wearing day in the wind and rain.

The Guardian - Sport

(He was covered in muck from mudsliding in the Infield).

Los Angeles Times

At the processing center in Chula Vista, agents hosed off the migrants, who were covered in muck from head to toe.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I was covered in the muck".

Independent

Sixteen square miles are covered in the muck, hundreds of residents suffered mild burns or lung irritations, and many animals were killed.

The New York Times

Images of the day — the dolphin surfacing for air with its snout, or rostrum, covered in black muck, a man going over a railing to reach down into the water to stroke the dolphin ("if this man could do that, rescuers could have saved this dolphin," posted one Twitter user, Raelene C). — seemed to illustrate both the pressing need for and the possibility of some sort of intervention.

The New York Times

Most of all, it will simply be remembered: the greatest World Cup of them all, they are all saying, at least until the tournament summer is back on your doorstep again, clad in that same wry grin, boots covered in strange muck, exuding that familiar sense that this just might be the most vital and magical of all our old, stupid rituals.

Vice

The ground was covered in wet gray muck.

The New York Times

The sanctuary, offices and social hall were covered in inches of muck.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "covered in muck", ensure the context clearly establishes the source and type of the muck for better clarity. For example, specify if it's mud, grime, or another specific substance.

Common error

Avoid using "covered in muck" without providing additional context. While evocative, it can be too general. Instead, specify the type of "muck" if possible, like "covered in oily muck" or "covered in swamp muck", to give the reader a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "covered in muck" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It typically modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is coated or soiled with a wet, dirty substance. Ludwig confirms this is correct and usable English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "covered in muck" is a grammatically sound and descriptively potent expression used to depict something or someone heavily soiled, according to Ludwig. While grammatically correct and considered usable English, as validated by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare, primarily found in news and media contexts. For enhanced clarity, specify the nature of the "muck" when using the expression to prevent being imprecise. For alternatives, consider "caked in grime" or "smeared with mud" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smeared with mud

Uses "mud" instead of "muck", which is a more specific type of wet dirt.

caked in grime

Replaces "muck" with "grime", suggesting a more ingrained or stubborn dirt.

coated in filth

Substitutes "muck" with "filth", implying a higher degree of uncleanness or repulsiveness.

fouled with sludge

Replaces "muck" with "sludge", indicating a thicker, often industrial, type of dirt.

plastered with dirt

Emphasizes the thickness and adherence of the dirt.

encrusted with mire

Uses "mire" instead of "muck", implying a swampy or boggy context.

layered with sediment

Suggests a coating of fine particles that have settled over time.

stained with grime

Implies that the dirt has left a lasting mark or discoloration.

awash in mire

Suggests the subject is flooded in a swampy, muddy environment, differing slightly from being merely coated.

buried in mire

Indicates being submerged or deeply embedded in swampy mud.

FAQs

How can I use "covered in muck" in a sentence?

You can use "covered in muck" to describe someone or something that is heavily soiled with mud or a similar substance. For example, "After playing in the rain, the dog was "covered in muck"."

What's a more formal way to say "covered in muck"?

A more formal alternative could be "coated in sediment" or "smeared with residue", depending on the context. These options provide a less colloquial and more descriptive tone.

What's the difference between "covered in mud" and "covered in muck"?

"Mud" specifically refers to a mixture of soil and water, while "muck" implies a broader range of wet, dirty substances, which could include mud but also sludge or other unpleasant materials. So ""covered in muck"" suggests a dirtier, potentially more unpleasant coating than just "covered in mud".

What are some other phrases similar to "covered in muck"?

Similar phrases include "caked in grime", "coated in filth", or "plastered with dirt". The best choice depends on the specific type of "muck" you want to describe.