get smothered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get smothered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something is overwhelmed or suffocated, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "During the intense debate, he felt like he would get smothered by the opposing arguments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"If it's too silty, the eggs get smothered".

The New York Times

"I had to attack, in order not to get smothered," Martin said.

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately, the words get smothered by the blaring guitars and the crashing drums, so we can only imagine.

The Guardian - Music

"This kind of container can hold us, yet it can break down very easily, like when people get smothered to death in the intensity of the crowd," she reflected.

The New York Times - Arts

It's day zero of the Rio Olympic Games and as everyone knows, nothing screams "Win the discus!" more than watching a pop star get smothered in a parachute while dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow.

The Guardian - Music

People think because it's in Colorado, during the winter there's tons of snow and it will be impossible to ride your bike, but Boulder is in the Front Range of Colorado, in the foothills of the Rockies, so while the mountains get smothered in snow, Boulder stays pretty dry.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I almost got smothered.

The Guardian

He just got smothered.

The New York Times

Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Updated at 9.56am BST 9.18am BST 39 min England are looking to run it but are getting smothered.

The Guardian - Sport

The details of the fisticuffs between the rich and poor are cleverly reworked – Mercutio has a heart attack; Tybalt gets smothered by a pillow – but the actual casus belli and the circumstances of Romeo's exile aren't persuasive.

The Guardian

It's an ambitious attempt to synthesise comedy, grief and philosophy, and the first of those gets smothered in the mix – or did when I saw it, at a gig interrupted by loud football fans in the host boozer.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get smothered" when you want to convey a sense of being completely overwhelmed or suffocated, either literally or figuratively. Choose this phrase when the feeling is one of being trapped or unable to breathe, whether physically or emotionally.

Common error

While "get smothered" is appropriate in many situations, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing where more nuanced or lighter alternatives might be more fitting. Consider phrases like "be overwhelmed" or "be swamped" for less dramatic effect.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "get smothered" is to act as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being smothered. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get smothered" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, often employed to depict situations where someone or something is overwhelmed, suffocated, or suppressed. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its common use in News & Media, indicating a neutral register. Alternatives like "be overwhelmed" or "be suffocated" can be considered for nuanced expression. While not exceedingly frequent, understanding its proper context ensures effective and vivid communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be suffocated

Direct synonym, emphasizing the act of being deprived of air or overwhelmed.

be overwhelmed

Focuses on being overpowered emotionally or mentally, rather than physically.

be suppressed

Highlights the act of being forcibly restrained or held back.

be stifled

Suggests being held back or prevented from developing fully.

be crushed

Implies a more forceful and destructive form of being overwhelmed.

be buried

Suggests being concealed or lost beneath a large amount of something.

be besieged

Indicates being surrounded and attacked or overwhelmed by requests or demands.

be engulfed

Conveys the idea of being completely surrounded and consumed.

be inundated

Implies being flooded or overwhelmed with a large quantity of something.

be overpowered

Focuses on being defeated or subdued by a superior force.

FAQs

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

You can use "get smothered" to describe a situation where someone or something is overwhelmed or suffocated, either literally or figuratively. For example: "The sturgeon eggs can "get smothered" by silt", or "He feared he would "get smothered" by the intensity of the crowd".

What are some alternatives to "get smothered"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be overwhelmed", "be suffocated", or "be buried". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "get smothered" or "be smothered"?

Both "get smothered" and "be smothered" are grammatically correct. "Get smothered" implies a process or action leading to the state of being smothered, while "be smothered" describes the state itself. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the process or the resulting condition.

What does it mean to say something "gets smothered" in a committee?

When a proposal or idea "gets smothered" in a committee, it means it is likely to be delayed, weakened, or ultimately rejected due to the committee's processes, lack of support, or conflicting priorities. This is a figurative use of the phrase, suggesting the idea is stifled or suppressed.