get hosed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get hosed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to describe being cheated, taken advantage of, or experiencing a negative outcome, often unexpectedly. Example: "I thought I was getting a good deal on the car, but I really got hosed when I saw the hidden fees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"The vulture loves to get hosed," she said.

The New York Times

So many people in this room are gonna get hosed".

The Guardian - Tech

States that seem relatively lucky under some measurements get hosed under others.

The New York Times

You can actually pinpoint the moment when the oil company BP began to get hosed in Louisiana: March 2012.

The New York Times

We despised trendies — fashion kids who tried too hard, perennially hoping to get hosed down by the paps or interviewed about their hair.

The New Yorker

On Tuesday, he went through a typical McGaughey routine for the day after a workout: walk 40 minutes, get hosed 20 minutes, graze 40 minutes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Instead, they got hosed.

The New York Times

Yeah, we're getting hosed.

The New York Times - Books

The notion that BP somehow got "hosed" or "fleeced" is preposterous.

The New York Times

I got hosed down and tied up and drugs introduced in my bloodstream.

The New Yorker

The Future is here and it gets hosed off way too often.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get hosed" when you want to convey a sense of being unfairly treated or experiencing a significant setback, especially in business or financial contexts.

Common error

While "get hosed" is acceptable in casual conversation, it might not be suitable for professional reports or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives like "suffer losses" or "be disadvantaged" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "get hosed" functions as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe experiencing a negative outcome, being cheated, or taken advantage of. The expression adds emphasis to the negative experience.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get hosed" is a common idiomatic expression that means to be cheated, taken advantage of, or experience a negative outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and most often used in informal contexts, though examples can be found across news and media sources. When writing, it is best to avoid in academic or professional writing and to use alternatives such as "suffer losses" or "be disadvantaged". The phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business and Wiki contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get ripped off

Focuses specifically on financial exploitation or overcharging.

get swindled

Implies a deliberate act of fraud or deception.

get scammed

Similar to "get swindled", but often suggests a more elaborate scheme.

get taken for a ride

Suggests being manipulated or deceived, often in a subtle way.

get duped

Highlights the foolishness or naivety of the person being deceived.

get shafted

A more vulgar and aggressive way to express being treated unfairly.

get the short end of the stick

Indicates receiving an unfair or unfavorable outcome in a situation.

draw the short straw

Similar to the previous phrase, emphasizing being assigned an undesirable task or role.

come off worse

This alternative is more general and describes a situation where someone ends up in a disadvantageous situation.

meet with misfortune

Describes unfortunate events or bad luck.

FAQs

What does "get hosed" mean?

The expression "get hosed" means to be cheated, deceived, or treated unfairly, often resulting in a negative outcome or loss.

What are some synonyms for "get hosed"?

Alternatives to "get hosed" include "get ripped off", "get swindled", "get taken for a ride", or "get duped".

Is it appropriate to use "get hosed" in formal writing?

No, "get hosed" is generally considered informal and should be avoided in formal writing. More appropriate alternatives include "be disadvantaged" or "suffer losses".

How can I use "get hosed" in a sentence?

You could say, "I thought I was getting a good deal, but I really "got hosed" when I saw all the hidden fees." or "The startups that really "get hosed" are the ones that raise a lot on easy terms and then spend a lot."