fall under a curse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall under a curse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts involving superstition, folklore, or metaphorical expressions about misfortune or bad luck. Example: "After the ancient artifact was disturbed, the villagers believed they had fallen under a curse that brought misfortune to their crops."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The working-class Boston neighborhood, with its wood-frame buildings, gray light, and tough, anxious women clinging to their men, has never recovered; it might be an ancient Greek city fallen under a curse.

The New Yorker

Modishness has fallen like a curse on this modest Jewish lunch counter.

The Guardian - Travel

The lovers have fallen victim to a curse, which can be undone only when the king sees a ring he gave her in the forest.

The New York Times

What passes for cleverness is the movie's central conceit: Chuck (that would be Mr. Cook) suffers under a curse that causes every woman he goes to bed with to fall in love with the next guy who asks her out.

The New York Times

As in "Ju-On 2," the only other film I've seen in the series, "The Grudge" slides between different points in time to follow separate characters, who all fall under the same curse.

The New York Times

A novel-length narrative about a boy under a curse that prevents him from aging beyond 17.

The New York Times - Books

But the last two years, Mr. Goodwin, a tall, taciturn West Virginian, has seemed to be laboring under a curse.

The New York Times

Lilliet believes that she operates under a curse, that before long her voice, too, will break down.

The New Yorker

Universal, Hollywood's oldest studio, seems to operate under a curse.

Forbes

It is only as the game progresses that Gabriel will put the pieces together: his family is under a curse.

Huffington Post

Enlargement has been incredibly effective at promoting free speech in countries that for years fell under the curse of Soviet totalitarianism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "fall under a curse", ensure the context clearly implies a supernatural or magical influence causing misfortune. The phrase is most effective in settings involving folklore, fantasy, or metaphorical expressions of bad luck.

Common error

Avoid using "fall under a curse" when describing situations that are merely unfortunate but lack any suggestion of supernatural causation. Stick to phrases like "suffer a setback" or "experience misfortune" in purely secular contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall under a curse" functions primarily as a predicate, describing the state or condition that a subject enters. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English, and the examples show it used in contexts involving misfortune or bad luck.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall under a curse" describes the process of becoming affected by a negative supernatural influence. While grammatically sound, its usage is more common in fictional narratives or metaphorical discussions of misfortune. Ludwig AI indicates its usability in English, though the lack of real-world examples suggests a limited frequency. Consider synonyms like "be cursed", "be afflicted by a hex", or "succumb to a dark spell" to adjust the nuance. Ensure the context appropriately suggests a magical or supernatural element when employing the phrase "fall under a curse".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be cursed

A simpler and more direct way of saying "fall under a curse", omitting the 'fall under' part.

be afflicted by a hex

Changes the noun 'curse' to 'hex' and replaces 'fall under' with 'be afflicted by', indicating a state of being affected by negative magic.

be subjected to a malediction

Replaces the common word 'curse' with the more formal 'malediction' and uses 'be subjected to' instead of 'fall under', increasing the formality.

become a victim of a jinx

Substitutes 'curse' with 'jinx' implying a less severe form of bad luck, and 'fall under' with 'become a victim of', highlighting the passive role.

succumb to a dark spell

Replaces 'curse' with 'dark spell' and 'fall under' with 'succumb to', emphasizing the influence of magic and yielding to it.

be plagued by misfortune

Shifts the focus from a specific curse to general 'misfortune', using 'be plagued by' to suggest a continuous state of suffering.

be burdened with ill fate

Replaces 'curse' with 'ill fate' and uses 'be burdened with' to indicate a heavy load of negative destiny.

experience a run of bad luck

Moves away from the supernatural, focusing on a series of unlucky events rather than a specific curse.

be dogged by adversity

Replaces the concept of a curse with general 'adversity', suggesting persistent hardship and challenges.

suffer the consequences of a hex

Focuses on the aftermath and results of a curse, highlighting the suffering experienced.

FAQs

How can I use "fall under a curse" in a sentence?

The phrase "fall under a curse" is typically used to describe a situation where someone or something is negatively affected by a magical or supernatural force. For example: "After disturbing the ancient tomb, the explorers "fell under a curse"." Or: "The village "fell under a curse" after the sacred tree was cut down."

What's a synonym for "fall under a curse"?

Similar phrases include "be cursed", "be afflicted by a hex", or "be subjected to a malediction". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fall under a curse" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "fall under a curse" is generally more suited to fictional, fantastical, or metaphorical contexts. In formal or academic writing, consider using more direct and less figurative language, unless you're specifically analyzing folklore or mythology.

What is the difference between "fall under a curse" and "be cursed"?

The phrase "fall under a curse" implies the process of becoming affected by a curse, while "be cursed" describes the state of being under a curse. "They "fell under a curse"" suggests the moment the curse took effect; "They "were cursed"" simply indicates their current condition.