get into a bind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get into a bind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is in trouble or facing difficulties. Example: "When I lost my job unexpectedly, I really got into a bind financially."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The reason being that if you get into a bind and need to retrieve the package ASAP, you don't want to have to wait around for a month until you can dig it up unseen.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A senior American defense official said that several days ago, United States special operations forces in northern Iraq got into a bind and called for air support from American attack planes, but Turkish leaders would not open the country's airspace to American planes.

The New York Times

It was the second out of the first inning and it saved Angels starter Chris Stratton from getting into a bind.

Los Angeles Times

When those borrowers get into a financial bind, as many telecommunications and technology companies have in the last year, they are more inclined to try to appease the people whose loans are keeping them afloat.

The New York Times

His son, Shwan, 23, had left Iraqi Kurdistan for Europe at the end of July but had not been heard of since 24 August, when he told his father he was about to get into a van bound for Germany.

Independent

So everybody gets into a time bind".The Time Bind" is the title of a book by Arlie Russell Hochschild (Metropolitan Books, 1997, $22.50), a sociology professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

The Economist

In a series of reports throughout the year, researchers found that in order to get into a cell, HIV must first bind to a cell surface receptor that normally receives the chemokines, and the virus cannot infect people born with defective chemokine receptors.

Science Magazine

People in these Premium Workspaces plans will also get priority support; the product may be simple, but when you get into a big organization, someone is bound to have questions.

TechCrunch

Of course I have attitudes, and they're bound to get into a piece.

The New York Times - Arts

How AMF, under Goldman's control, got into such a bind is a complicated story that involves Asian economics, American social trends and the ways of Wall Street.

The New York Times

The Bidens got into a car, bound for Delaware.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get into a bind" when you want to express that someone is in a difficult situation, especially when the cause is complex or not immediately obvious. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "get into a bind" in highly formal writing, such as academic papers or official reports. While acceptable in many contexts, it may be perceived as too casual for certain audiences. Consider using a more formal alternative like "encounter difficulties" or "face a challenging situation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get into a bind" functions as an idiomatic expression describing the process of encountering or entering a difficult or problematic situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get into a bind" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe finding oneself in a difficult or problematic situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While suitable for most general communication, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "encounter difficulties" or "face a challenging situation" in academic or professional settings. Common errors involve using it in overly formal contexts. Understanding its function and appropriate register will help ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get into a difficult situation

A more literal and less idiomatic version of the original phrase.

be in a tight spot

Indicates being in a difficult situation with limited options.

get caught in a jam

Substitutes "bind" with "jam", another informal term for a difficult situation.

find oneself in a predicament

Replaces the idiomatic "get into" with a more formal "find oneself in", and "bind" with the more neutral "predicament".

find yourself in trouble

A direct and common way of saying someone is experiencing difficulties.

run into difficulties

Replaces the entire idiomatic phrase with a more straightforward expression of encountering problems.

land in hot water

An idiom that describes getting into trouble, often implying that someone is at fault.

encounter a problem

A simpler and more direct way of saying someone is facing an issue.

face a challenging situation

Uses more formal language to describe being in a difficult position.

face adversity

Describes confronting hardship or challenging circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "get into a bind" in a sentence?

You can use "get into a bind" to describe finding oneself in a difficult or troublesome situation. For example, "I really "got into a bind" when I lost my job and couldn't pay rent".

What are some alternatives to "get into a bind"?

Some alternatives include "find oneself in a predicament", "get caught in a jam", or "run into difficulties". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "get into a bind" appropriate for formal writing?

While "get into a bind" is widely understood, it's generally better suited for informal or neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "encounter difficulties" or "face a challenging situation".

What does it mean to "get into a bind"?

To "get into a bind" means to find yourself in a difficult, troublesome, or awkward situation. It often implies that the situation is not easily resolved and may require significant effort to overcome.