getting declined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting declined" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used informally to describe the act of being rejected or turned down, but it's better to use more conventional expressions. Example: "I was getting declined for the job I applied for, which was disappointing."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Christensen and Getting declined to comment on the substance of the statement given to police by Dalton, but the prosecutor said he admitted his involvement in the killings after being read his Miranda rights.

The Guardian

Clearly, you're still charging the old card and getting declined, I said.

TechCrunch

Working as a grocery store manager, he had called the police on a customer whose credit cards kept getting declined.

Vice

Deb-Dex Drama: The season picked up with Dexter making a frenzied escape to the Miami International airport, with his car running on empty, all his credit cards getting declined and his bags packed with cash and passports.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

For the trillions of dollars Americans spend on healthcare, they're getting declining services, more frequent ailments and a steadily diverging standard of care for the rich and the poor in the country.

TechCrunch

My money management has led to some pretty embarrassing situations – my card actually got declined on a first date once and she ended up having to pick up the tab.

The Guardian

I mean, regular credit cards get declined from time to time too.

TechCrunch

Lisa says the appeal was one of the most stressful times of her life, but she would advise anyone who gets declined to go for it.

BBC

My card got declined the other day when I was buying [food from] Subway.

Huffington Post

This could be great practice for them as no one wants to get declined in a check out line!

Huffington Post

If you get somebody who doesn't want to be your manager or you get declined here or there for your album, just keep out there.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "getting declined" in informal contexts where a more casual tone is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "getting declined" in professional or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "being rejected" or "application denial" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "getting declined" is a passive verb phrase, describing the state of being rejected. Ludwig shows examples of its usage in various contexts, though it's generally considered less formal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

38%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "getting declined" is an informal way to describe the act of being rejected or refused. While understandable, Ludwig suggests that more formal alternatives like "being rejected" or "being refused" are generally preferred, especially in professional or academic writing. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources. Therefore, it's crucial to consider the context and audience when deciding whether to use "getting declined" or a more formal substitute.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being rejected

Replaces "getting declined" with a more standard and formal term for not being accepted.

being refused

Similar to "being rejected", but emphasizes the act of someone denying a request or application.

being turned down

An informal alternative to "getting declined", implying a rejection.

having an application denied

Specifically refers to the rejection of a formal application.

having a request denied

Similar to "having an application denied", but applies to any kind of request.

not being approved

Indicates a lack of official endorsement or acceptance.

facing rejection

Highlights the experience of dealing with rejection.

encountering refusal

A more formal way of saying "being refused."

experiencing a setback

Implies that the rejection is a temporary obstacle.

being unsuccessful

A general term for not achieving a desired outcome, which could include being declined.

FAQs

What does "getting declined" mean?

The phrase "getting declined" means being rejected or refused for something, such as a job, loan, or application. It's an informal way of expressing that you were turned down.

What can I say instead of "getting declined"?

You can use alternatives like "being rejected", "being refused", or "being turned down" depending on the context.

Is "getting declined" grammatically correct?

While "getting declined" is understandable, it's considered less formal. Standard English prefers "being rejected" or "being refused".

When is it appropriate to use "getting declined"?

It's appropriate to use "getting declined" in informal conversations or writing where a casual tone is acceptable. In professional or academic contexts, opt for more formal alternatives.