curse someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "curse someone" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to wishing harm or misfortune upon someone, often in a figurative sense. For example, "In a fit of anger, she threatened to curse him for his betrayal." Alternative expressions include "hex someone," "damn someone," and "wish ill upon someone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Then they reminded me of their fundamental purpose, and asked, "So are you going to curse someone, or are you just going to ask questions and take pictures of us?" I'm easygoing and live a relatively frictionless existence.

Vice

"So which Thenoristhey you want us to hit today?" Sign up now to get the best of VICE Canada deliveremindedight to your inbox.

Vice

In a feature I do for my blog called Sunday superlatives, I included a quote from Mark Twain in which he referred to a snake oil salesman as an "idiot," but no one left an angry comment warning me of hell based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5 22 that "if you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court; and if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell".

Huffington Post

If you want to do it right, though, you'll curse someone's entire bloodline: you could go with 'I'll fuck everyone dead in your family, and your offspring and ancestors', with a more classy 'I'll fuck your blood, seed and tribe', or with 'I will fuck the first row at your funeral'.

Vice

If you want to do it right, though, you'll curse someone's entire bloodline: you could go with "I'll fuck everyone dead in your family, and your offspring and ancestors," a slightly classier "I'll fuck your blood, seed, and tribe," or "I will fuck the first row at your funeral".

Vice

If you want to do it right, though, you'll curse someone's entire bloodline: You could go with "I'll fuck everyone dead in your family, and your offspring and ancestors," a slightly classier "I'll fuck your blood, seed, and tribe," or "I will fuck the first row at your funeral".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I suppose it could leave you cursing someone or something you think is to blame.

The New York Times

I cursed someone.

BMC Palliative Care

"In Hollywood, the greatest curse that someone can have is to be young, beautiful, wealthy, and famous.

The New Yorker

The curse of someone else's Hello! wedding had almost been her ruin, but she was still laughing.

The New York Times - Magazine

I would rather sit and curse at someone who is very clearly wrong, and have the opportunity to do that, than feel that I was being blindfolded by some doctrine where there was no voice of opposition.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "curse someone" when you want to express the act of wishing harm or misfortune upon another person, often with the implication of supernatural intervention or strong negative intent. Be mindful of the context and audience, as this phrase can be considered offensive or inappropriate in certain situations.

Common error

Avoid using "curse someone" lightly or jokingly, as it carries a weight of negativity and malice. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your language seem unnecessarily aggressive. Consider less intense alternatives like "criticize" or "disapprove of" if the situation warrants a milder expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "curse someone" primarily functions as a verb phrase where "curse" is the verb and "someone" is the direct object. It indicates the act of wishing or invoking harm or misfortune upon another person. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "curse someone" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the act of wishing harm or misfortune upon another person. While considered correct by Ludwig AI, its frequency is uncommon, appearing primarily in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. It's crucial to understand that using this phrase carries a negative connotation and should be reserved for appropriate situations where the intent is to convey strong disapproval or invoke misfortune. Alternative expressions like "damn someone" or "wish misfortune on someone" might be considered depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lay a curse on someone

Similar to "call down a curse", indicating a deliberate action.

call down a curse on someone

Emphasizes the act of actively summoning a curse.

wish misfortune on someone

A more general term for hoping bad things happen to someone.

put a hex on someone

More specific, implies use of magic or supernatural power.

cast a spell on someone

Similar to "put a hex on", but can also refer to positive magic.

ill-wish someone

A less common, slightly archaic term.

damn someone

Implies eternal punishment, often religiously connotated.

hex someone's bloodline

Extends the curse to the person's descendants.

invoke evil upon someone

Suggests a deliberate act of summoning negative forces.

anathematize someone

A formal and ecclesiastical term for condemning someone.

FAQs

What does it mean to "curse someone"?

To "curse someone" means to wish or invoke misfortune, harm, or evil upon them. It often implies a strong negative intention or a belief in supernatural powers.

What can I say instead of "curse someone"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "damn someone", "put a hex on someone", or "wish misfortune on someone".

Is it grammatically correct to say "curse someone"?

Yes, "curse someone" is grammatically correct. "Curse" functions as a verb, and "someone" is the direct object of the verb.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "curse someone"?

The phrase is typically used in contexts involving strong negative emotions, revenge, or in discussions of magical or supernatural beliefs. However, it's crucial to be mindful of the audience and context, as the phrase can be offensive.