get livid

USAGE SUMMARY

"get livid" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to someone who is becoming very angry. Example sentence: After discovering his wife had been lying to him, Jack began to get livid.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sure it's a little annoying, but some folks just get livid.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

His wife got livid.

The New York Times

Louis Seller, 89, from Buffalo, gets livid because he is awakened by telemarketers, and he is tired of hearing from newspaper subscription sellers.

The New York Times

But nevertheless, seek one who gets reassuringly livid about those who have given the industry a bad name.

Forbes

The boy was livid, ready to get out of the hospital and find revenge in whatever way he could.

Vice

You get why people here were livid when Boris Johnson called Liverpool a "city wallowing in victim status".

Vice

After all, political conditions were now so volatile and livid that simply to get them down on paper or canvas would be expressive enough.

The New Yorker

I'm going this week and I'm livid because I can't get a table at my favourite restaurant, L'ami Louis.

Independent

A livid Hank pulls strings with a senior police officer to get her out of being charged.

Wikipedia

Suppliers and other creditors kept calling, livid over not getting paid.

The New York Times

Near the end of the final book, Alice — now a middle-school guidance counselor — gets a call from the livid mother of a student, blaming Alice's sex-ed "agenda" for the "degradation of America".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "get livid", consider the context and audience. While appropriate for many situations, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "become enraged" or "become incensed".

Common error

Avoid using "get livid" in highly formal writing or professional communication. While understandable, it can sound less professional than alternatives like "become indignant" or "express strong disapproval". Choose vocabulary that aligns with the formality of your communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get livid" functions as a verb phrase expressing the action of becoming extremely angry. As noted by Ludwig, it indicates a transformation to a state of intense anger, as seen in the example provided. It's used to describe a person's reaction to a frustrating or enraging situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get livid" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone becoming extremely angry. As indicated by Ludwig, it's often found in news and media contexts, expressing a strong emotional reaction to frustrating or unfair situations. While generally acceptable, it's more suitable for informal or neutral writing, and formal contexts might benefit from alternatives such as "become enraged" or "become incensed". The phrase serves to convey a high degree of displeasure, highlighting the intensity of the anger experienced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be furious

Describes a state of intense anger; more direct and less gradual.

become enraged

Focuses on the process of becoming extremely angry; slightly more formal.

become incensed

Highlights a sense of righteous anger or indignation; slightly more formal.

erupt in anger

Conveys a sudden and forceful outburst of anger.

fly into a rage

Emphasizes the sudden and uncontrolled nature of anger.

boil with anger

Emphasizes the internal build-up of anger.

lose one's temper

Highlights the loss of self-control due to anger; slightly milder.

bristle with rage

Expresses visible signs of anger and agitation.

see red

Idiomatic expression indicating intense anger and loss of control.

get very angry

Simple and direct alternative, lacking the intensity of "livid".

FAQs

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

You can use "get livid" to describe someone becoming extremely angry. For example, "He will "get livid" if he finds out about this".

What does "get livid" mean?

"Get livid" means to become extremely angry or furious. It suggests a high degree of emotional intensity.

What are some synonyms for "get livid"?

Synonyms for "get livid" include "become enraged", "fly into a rage", and "lose one's temper". These alternatives can add nuance to your writing.

Is "get livid" appropriate for formal writing?

While "get livid" is generally acceptable, it's more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more refined alternatives such as "become indignant" or "express strong disapproval".