did the trick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did the trick" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has successfully achieved the desired result or outcome. Example: "After trying several remedies for my headache, I finally found that a cup of herbal tea did the trick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Arnica did the trick".

The New York Times

That did the trick.

The New York Times

Her resolve did the trick.

The New York Times

Evidently this did the trick.

The New York Times

This did the trick.

The Guardian - Film

The contraption apparently did the trick.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Cornstarch or flour will do the trick.

WikiHow

The procedure does the trick.

The New York Times - Arts

"That always does the trick".

The New York Times

The wig does the trick.

Independent

Will this do the trick?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "did the trick", ensure the context clearly indicates what problem or situation was resolved. For instance, "A cup of coffee did the trick" implies the coffee solved a problem like tiredness.

Common error

Avoid using "did the trick" without specifying what exactly was resolved or achieved. For example, instead of saying "That did the trick", specify "Using the new software did the trick and streamlined our workflow."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did the trick" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig examples confirm it describes the successful resolution of a problem or achievement of a desired outcome. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

5%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did the trick" is a widely used and grammatically sound idiom that signifies the successful resolution of a problem or the achievement of a desired result. With the support of Ludwig AI, the phrase's versatility across diverse contexts, including news media, general communications, and even technical discussions, is evident. While predominantly neutral to informal in register, more formal alternatives may be appropriate for academic or highly professional settings. With the analysis of Ludwig's examples, it’s clear the best practice is to make it clear what exactly "did the trick" in order to avoid any confusion or vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got the job done

Emphasizes the completion of a task or job successfully.

worked perfectly

Indicates that something functioned flawlessly to achieve the desired outcome.

achieved the desired result

Emphasizes the attainment of a specific outcome, highlighting the success of an action.

brought about the desired result

Emphasizes the action of achieving the specific outcome.

produced the intended effect

Highlights the intended outcome being successfully brought about.

was effective

States directly that something had the desired impact or result.

succeeded in its purpose

Highlights the achievement of a predetermined goal or aim.

solved the problem

Focuses on resolving an issue or difficulty, implying a successful solution.

accomplished the objective

Focuses on the successful completion of a specific objective or goal.

hit the mark

Figuratively expresses the achievement of a desired outcome with precision.

FAQs

How can I use "did the trick" in a sentence?

The phrase "did the trick" is used to express that something successfully solved a problem or achieved a desired result. For example, "Adding more yeast "did the trick" and the bread rose perfectly."

What is a more formal way to say "did the trick"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "achieved the desired result", "proved effective", or "accomplished the objective" instead of ""did the trick"".

What does "did the trick" mean?

"Did the trick" means that something successfully solved a problem or achieved a desired outcome. It implies that a particular action or item was effective in fulfilling its purpose.

Can "did the trick" be used in any context?

While "did the trick" is versatile, it's best suited for informal or neutral contexts. In highly formal or academic writing, consider using more precise and sophisticated alternatives, such as "resolved the issue" or "yielded the desired outcome".