deadly serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'deadly serious' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to emphasize how serious a situation is or how important something is. For example: "We are deadly serious about this project as we cannot afford to make any mistakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Deadly serious.

The New Yorker

Pakistan is deadly serious".

The New Yorker

She's deadly serious.

Independent

This was deadly serious.

Independent

They're deadly serious.

The New York Times

She was deadly serious.

The New York Times

"It's deadly serious.

Independent

His reply is deadly serious.

Independent

This was deadly serious business.

The New York Times - Arts

He could be deadly serious.

The New York Times

He's deadly serious.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deadly serious" to emphasize the critical nature of a situation, especially when clarifying that something should not be taken lightly. For example: "We are "deadly serious" about security protocols; any violation will result in immediate termination."

Common error

Avoid using "deadly serious" in extremely formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or sophisticated term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like 'critically important' or 'of utmost importance'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deadly serious" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of utmost importance or sincerity. It intensifies the quality of being serious, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deadly serious" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is of the utmost importance. As indicated by Ludwig, it is used to emphasize the gravity of a situation and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience to ensure the level of formality is appropriate, opting for alternatives in highly formal or academic settings. By avoiding common errors and understanding its communicative purpose, you can effectively use "deadly serious" to convey the critical nature of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in all seriousness

This highlights the gravity of the situation and signals a shift to a more solemn tone.

completely sincere

This phrase focuses on the genuineness and honesty behind an action or statement.

absolutely earnest

This emphasizes the sincerity and lack of pretense, highlighting a genuine and heartfelt intention.

entirely in earnest

Similar to 'absolutely earnest', it reinforces the authenticity and lack of irony.

quite in earnest

Emphasizes the genuine and serious intention behind a statement or action.

with utmost gravity

Underscores the seriousness and significance of the topic being discussed.

perfectly solemn

This phrase underscores the grave and somber nature of something.

utterly grave

This highlights the extreme seriousness and importance of the matter at hand.

with grave concern

Highlights the worried and serious attitude towards a situation.

no laughing matter

This emphasizes the lack of humor or triviality in a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "deadly serious" in a sentence?

You can use "deadly serious" to emphasize the importance or sincerity of something. For example: "The government is "deadly serious" about tackling climate change."

What's a less intense alternative to "deadly serious"?

Alternatives to "deadly serious" include phrases like "very serious", "extremely serious", or "highly serious", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "deadly serious"?

"Deadly serious" is appropriate when you want to convey that something is of the utmost importance and should not be taken lightly. It is often used in contexts where there are significant consequences at stake.

What is the difference between "deadly serious" and "serious"?

"Deadly serious" is a more emphatic way of saying "serious". It adds a level of intensity and urgency that the word "serious" alone might not convey.