get undone

USAGE SUMMARY

"get undone" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used as an idiom that means to undo something, to impede something or to fail. For example: "The preparations for the meeting have been getting undone with every delay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The student was tangled up and couldn't get undone from himself.

The New Yorker

So that shows all these large abstract historical thoughts can get undone when your own desires for the Red Sox come into play.

The New York Times - Magazine

But once a decade or so, we get undone, as if in love, and our subject has its revenge, turning the tables and refusing to let us be.

The New York Times

All these effects get undone during the bust.

SERIEs

"We didn't get undone by anything clever, we just came across a side that physically dominated us in all areas and didn't let up.

BBC

In recent seasons, Spurs could punch above their weight but would get undone by points dropped to lesser clubs.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"Somehow the hook got undone," he recalled.

The New York Times - Science

Everyone who did this particular thing that would have fixed the economy got undone.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The moment you pull the thread from one side on this fabric, this compromise, the moment it gets undone on the other side," Mr. Becerra said.

The New York Times

Ella, 17, said: "Say, if your bra got undone they would give a warning and that would be the last of it.

The Guardian

"We just got undone by a long ball into the box.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get undone" to describe a process being reversed or a plan failing due to unforeseen circumstances. This construction is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically sound, excessive use of "get undone" might sound repetitive. Opt for synonyms like "be reversed" or "be thwarted" in formal writing to maintain variety and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get undone" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is being reversed, nullified, or brought to a state of failure. As Ludwig AI states, this construction is grammatically correct and usable. Examples show its application in various contexts, such as agreements being reversed or plans failing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get undone" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the reversal of an action, plan, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability in English writing. Although not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, with the highest frequency in news and media sources. While versatile, it's essential to consider alternative phrases such as "be reversed" or "be thwarted" in formal writing to enhance clarity and precision. It’s used to convey the idea of things being undone or failing to progress as intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be reversed

Specifically focuses on the act of undoing something that was previously done, highlighting the change in direction.

be thwarted

Emphasizes the act of actively preventing something from happening or succeeding.

be defeated

Focuses on the outcome of being overcome or beaten, shifting the emphasis from the process to the result.

be overturned

Often refers to the reversal of a decision or judgment, especially in a legal or political context.

be ruined

Implies a state of destruction or irreparable damage, which is a stronger connotation than simply being undone.

fall apart

Suggests a disintegration or breakdown, emphasizing the process of something failing rather than an external force causing it.

go awry

Implies that something has deviated from its intended course or plan.

be nullified

Implies making something legally void or ineffective, which is a more formal and specific meaning.

be invalidated

Focuses on the act of proving something to be without legal or factual basis.

be dismantled

Suggests a systematic taking apart or destruction, often of a system or organization.

FAQs

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

You can use "get undone" to describe a process being reversed or a plan failing. For example, "The agreement could "get undone" if either party fails to meet the conditions."

What is a more formal alternative to "get undone"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "be reversed", "be nullified", or "be thwarted" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "get undone" grammatically correct?

Yes, "get undone" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction using "get" followed by the past participle "undone".

What does "get undone" mean?

"Get undone" generally means to reverse something, to fail, or to be thwarted. It implies that something that was previously done or in place is now being undone or failing to achieve its intended outcome.