escalated the matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "escalated the matter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of raising an issue to a higher level of authority or urgency. Example: "After several attempts to resolve the issue, I decided to escalate the matter to my supervisor for further assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Because of the safety concerns, Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority approved the new models for sale with the current refrigerant, a position that escalated the matter from a disagreement over technology to a political dispute.

The New York Times

Yet rather than encourage both ladies to be more careful and move on, he escalated the matter and endangered the life of Cooks and her unborn child.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There were three more calls in March, and several promises to "escalate" the matter.

The New York Times

When this file was rejected, teams did not escalate the matter with due speed".

Independent

His lawyer, George J. Terwilliger III, took issue with the decision by the department to "escalate the matter" by continuing the investigation.

The New York Times

If the complaint cannot be conciliated or is otherwise terminated, Dinnison may be able apply to escalate the matter to the federal circuit court.

The Guardian

"But if the government is lying by using false documents then we will escalate the matter with a peaceful sit-in".

The Guardian

Direct them to possible sources of advice and support (both in school and externally), contact parents/carers if appropriate and escalate the matter to your school's safeguarding officer if you have serious concerns.

The Guardian

As The BBC reports, Mr. Whittingdale did escalate the matter after the Murdochs wrote to say they were too busy to attend the hearing next week, by asking the serjeant-at-arms of the House of Commons to deliver a formal summons to the two News Corporation executives at the London headquarters of their British newspaper division in Wapping.

The New York Times

Yet it is a blunt instrument and may escalate the matter that required a block in the first place.Twitter provoked a brief firestorm in December when it unilaterally and abruptly changed block behaviour to allow blocked users to follow and see tweets from public accounts, although those accounts wouldn't see the blocked parties.

The Economist

That whole "state-sponsored" bit escalates the matter to warning-worthy.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "escalated the matter", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what caused the escalation. This provides clarity and strengthens your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "escalated the matter" in very casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or bureaucratic. Opt for simpler phrases like "made it a bigger deal" or "took it further" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "escalated the matter" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of raising an issue to a higher level of attention or authority. It describes the process of making something more serious or urgent.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "escalated the matter" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies raising an issue to a higher level of urgency or authority. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and applicable in formal writing. It finds common usage in "News & Media" and "Wiki" contexts. While the phrase is accurate, be cautious not to overuse it in informal settings, as it can sound overly formal. Alternative phrases include "aggravated the situation" or "intensified the issue".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensified the issue

Highlights the increasing intensity of the issue.

aggravated the situation

Implies making the situation worse, adding negative connotations.

exacerbated the problem

Similar to aggravated, but focuses on worsening a specific problem.

heightened the tension

Specifically refers to an increase in tension or stress.

made things more serious

Highlights the increasing seriousness of the situation.

advanced the concern

Focuses on moving a concern forward, possibly to a higher level.

raised the stakes

Indicates an increase in risk or potential consequences.

amplified the dispute

Emphasizes the enlargement or widening of a disagreement.

brought it to a head

Implies causing a situation to reach a crisis point.

took it to the next level

Informal way of expressing an increase in intensity or importance.

FAQs

What does "escalated the matter" mean?

The phrase "escalated the matter" means to raise an issue to a higher level of authority or urgency, often because initial attempts to resolve it have failed.

How to use "escalated the matter" in a sentence?

You can use "escalated the matter" like this: "After several attempts to resolve the issue, I decided to "escalate the matter" to my supervisor for further assistance."

What can I say instead of "escalated the matter"?

You can use alternatives like "aggravated the situation", "intensified the issue", or "made things more serious" depending on the context.

Is "escalated the matter" formal or informal?

The phrase "escalated the matter" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's suitable for professional and official communications but might sound out of place in casual conversations.