do their magic

USAGE SUMMARY

'do their magic' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're referring to someone using their skills or abilities to make something happen. For example: "The chef and her team of helpers did their magic in the kitchen and prepared delicious food for the celebration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Watch the yucca moths do their magic.

The New Yorker

After they've begun to do their magic, the mediator really becomes transparent.

The New York Times

But the job also allows for down periods while the ovens do their magic.

The New York Times

If Mr. Meyerson's ideas play out, the phones and sensors will do their magic only by interaction with an Internet almost unimaginably more complex than the one we have today.

The New York Times

"THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE," a mischievous apprentice, a dragon, a witch and a befuddled sorcerer do their magic in the puppet farce presented by Puppetworks and the Children's Aid Society.

The New York Times - Arts

Magic charms tended to be buried with people who had suffered a violent death, Danković said, because of a belief that "souls of such people took longer to find rest and had a better chance of finding demons and deities and pass the wishes to them so they could do their magic".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"Disney has done their magic and overshadowed it".

The New York Times

Remember how I swayed when Tino and Brosius and Jeter did their magic in '01?

The New York Times - Sports

When Mr. Schuster came on about eight years ago, he beefed up the Web site, added search optimization, put up videos on YouTube of the equipment and detergents doing their magic, and promoted the videos and site with Facebook and Twitter.

The New York Times

As the sprocket holes, and the expert projectionists, did their magic in Pordenone this year, those of us who wouldn't know a Maltese cross from a Maltese falcon had plenty more to occupy our minds and emotions.

The Guardian - Film

Servers were done for a good 24 hours while the company's elves did their magic.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do their magic" when you want to convey that someone or something is using its unique abilities or skills to achieve a desired outcome, often with a hint of mystery or impressive results.

Common error

Avoid using "do their magic" when referring to inanimate objects or processes that don't have inherent agency. Ensure there's a clear subject performing the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do their magic" functions as a verb phrase indicating the application of skill or ability to achieve a desired outcome. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do their magic" is a common and correct expression used to describe the application of skill or ability to achieve a notable outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Analysis reveals that while the phrase appears across a range of contexts, it's particularly frequent in news and media. For formal writing, alternatives like "exercise their skills" may be more appropriate. Remember that "do their magic" is best used when there is a clear subject performing the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work their wonders

Emphasizes the admirable and astonishing aspect of the actions performed.

weave their spell

Implies a captivating or enchanting quality in the actions performed.

perform their expertise

Highlights the proficient and skilled nature of the actions.

exercise their skills

Focuses on the application of learned abilities to achieve a result.

ply their craft

Refers to the practice of a particular skill or trade with expertise.

bring their talents to bear

Emphasizes the impact and effectiveness of applying one's abilities.

exert their influence

Highlights the power and authority used to achieve a desired outcome.

display their prowess

Showcases exceptional skill and ability in a particular area.

enact their plan

Focuses on implementing a strategy or course of action effectively.

unleash their potential

Suggests the full release and utilization of hidden or untapped abilities.

FAQs

How can I use "do their magic" in a sentence?

You can use "do their magic" to describe a process or action where someone's skills lead to a remarkable result. For example, "The software developers "work their wonders" to optimize the code".

What are some alternatives to "do their magic"?

Alternatives include "work their wonders", "perform their expertise", or "bring their talents to bear" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "do their magic" in formal writing?

While "do their magic" is widely understood, it may be more suitable for informal or creative contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives that sound more professional, like "exercise their skills".

What's the difference between "do their magic" and "perform their magic"?

"Do their magic" implies a more general sense of using skills to achieve a result, while "perform their magic" /s/perform+their+magic emphasizes the act of demonstrating those skills in a deliberate and possibly showy way.