get sick of

USAGE SUMMARY

"get sick of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to become tired or annoyed with something or someone. Example: I have been listening to this same song on repeat for hours and I'm starting to get sick of it. Can we please listen to something else now?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do you ever get sick of Shakespeare?

The New York Times

I will never get sick of it.

The New Yorker

Does he ever get sick of "me"?

The New York Times - Arts

"People will get sick of it".

The New York Times

We'd get sick of that pretty quickly.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Didn't the others get sick of him?

The Guardian - Music

People would get sick of the election".

The New York Times

They never get sick of it.

The New York Times

You get sick of the smell".

The Guardian - Business

Don't they, you wonder, ever get sick of it?

Independent

Sometimes we get sick of our caution, he thinks.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get sick of" when you want to express a feeling of weariness or annoyance that develops over time due to repeated exposure or experience. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "get sick of" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "grow weary of" or "lose interest in" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get sick of" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that someone is becoming tired, bored, or annoyed with something. Ludwig provides numerous examples that showcase its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get sick of" is a common idiomatic phrase used to express weariness, boredom, or annoyance towards something, as validated by Ludwig. It functions to convey a negative emotional response arising from prolonged exposure or repeated experience. Although versatile, it's important to consider context and register, especially in formal writing, where synonyms such as "grow tired of" or "lose interest in" may be more appropriate. Its widespread usage across platforms like news and media confirms its acceptability in varied writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tire of

A shorter, more direct way to express becoming bored.

be bored with

Directly expresses the feeling of boredom.

grow tired of

Focuses on the gradual development of weariness.

be fed up with

Conveys a stronger sense of annoyance and frustration.

become weary of

Emphasizes a feeling of exhaustion and reluctance.

have had enough of

Indicates a limit has been reached, implying dissatisfaction.

lose interest in

Highlights the decline of enthusiasm for something.

reach saturation point with

Implies the inability to accept or experience more of something.

find something tiresome

Highlights the wearisome quality of the object or activity.

begin to loathe

Expresses a growing feeling of intense dislike.

FAQs

How can I use "get sick of" in a sentence?

You can use "get sick of" to express that you are tired or annoyed with something. For example, "I might get sick of this topic – it's actually very interesting" or "People get sick of you being sick and stop listening".

What's a more formal way to say "get sick of"?

For more formal alternatives, consider using phrases like "grow tired of", "become weary of", or "lose interest in" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "get sick of" appropriate for professional communication?

While "get sick of" is widely understood, it might be more appropriate to use alternatives like "tire of" or "become weary of" in professional contexts to maintain a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "get sick of" and "be fed up with"?

"Get sick of" generally implies a gradual weariness or boredom. "Be fed up with" suggests a stronger sense of frustration or annoyance, often implying that you've reached a breaking point.