get muffled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get muffled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sound that becomes quieter or less distinct, often due to being obstructed or absorbed. Example: "As the train moved further away, the sound of its engine began to get muffled until it was barely audible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

While the show's sheer scale — its exhibit space is more than 1.7 million square feet — makes it a desirable place to network, it also means news can easily get muffled.

The New York Times - Tech

They live in scrubby woodland, so high-pitched calls get muffled even over quite short distances.

BBC

Even when it's placed speaker side down on a table the audio doesn't get muffled.

TechCrunch

It's fine when the system is placed on a desk or other flat surface, but they can get muffled pretty quickly on top of something more uneven like a bedspread or your lap.

TechCrunch

The sound on music playback is thin and tinny and not really recommended beyond a few minutes — though at least the company had the forethought to put them up top, so they don't get muffled when the 2-in-1 is docked.

TechCrunch

"All I can see on that video is my Dad just trying to live for his kids, just fighting for us," says Garner-Snipes. "You can hear his voice get muffled and high-pitched.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's the kind of interlude that gets muffled in the confusion of a larger cast.

The New York Times

While Bridget strode so close to caricature that the real-life panic of some single women got muffled in the comedy, Rosie represents a rangier worldview, one in which a post-relationship meltdown leads to a job that feeds the soul.

The New York Times - Books

The perverse spectacle (child-torching, prostitute-stripping, endless flying ash) offered as compensation for indistinct characterisation gets muffled by this format's limited light capacity: those few scenes not choked with self-importance instead succumb to a greyly macho fug of war.

The Guardian - Film

That may be a well known fact but it often gets muffled in the bucolic vision for solar panel farms as far as the eyes can see.

TechCrunch

The exchange got muffled as executive producer Judd Apatow chimed in, asking the male reporter: "Do you have a girlfriend?

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get muffled" to describe sounds that are not clear due to obstruction or distance. It's appropriate for both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "get muffled" may sound too informal in highly professional or academic writing. Consider more formal alternatives such as "become muted" or "become subdued" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get muffled" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change of state. It describes the process by which a sound or other phenomenon becomes less clear or distinct. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get muffled" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe how sounds become less clear, often due to obstruction or distance. Ludwig AI indicates that it's most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, suggesting a generally neutral formality. While grammatically correct, it might be better to consider using more formal alternatives, such as "become muted" or "become subdued", in professional or academic settings. Remember to use it to describe sounds that are unclear, not as a blanket statement in formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become muted

Focuses on the reduction of sound intensity, similar to something being muffled.

be dampened

Similar to muffled, suggesting a reduction in sound due to absorption or obstruction.

become subdued

Implies a lessening of intensity, which can apply to sound or other sensory experiences.

become indistinct

Focuses on the loss of clear definition, whether in sound or vision.

lose clarity

Highlights the reduction in distinctness or sharpness, applicable to sound or other signals.

fade away

Indicates a gradual disappearance, often used for sounds that become quieter over time.

be softened

Emphasizes a gentler, less harsh quality, which can apply to sounds or images.

grow faint

Suggests a gradual decrease in audibility, indicating a fading sound.

be stifled

Suggests that something is being actively suppressed or prevented from being fully expressed.

be deadened

Emphasizes the suppression of sound, making it less vibrant or noticeable.

FAQs

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

You can use "get muffled" to describe a sound that becomes less clear or distinct. For example, "As the train moved further away, the sound of its engine began to get muffled."

What can I say instead of "get muffled"?

You can use alternatives like "become muted", "become subdued", or "fade away" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the sound gets muffled"?

Yes, "the sound gets muffled" is a grammatically correct and understandable sentence. It means that the sound is becoming less clear or distinct.

What's the difference between "get muffled" and "be muffled"?

"Get muffled" implies a process of becoming muffled, while "be muffled" describes a state of already being muffled. For example, "the sound began to get muffled" (process) versus "the sound was muffled" (state).