gone lax

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gone lax" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has become less strict or less disciplined over time. Example: "The security measures at the facility have gone lax, leading to several breaches in protocol."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It stars Jeff Bridges his once muscular body gone lax and his hair worn à la Charles Manson as the Dude.

The New Yorker

Paul knows that the times that government has gone lax on "intrusion" into the affairs of private business it's been an unmitigated disaster for the public and business.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But the deeper Brian sinks toward sleep — his hands unclenching, jaw going lax — the more wary I become.

The New York Times - Magazine

My jaw went lax, my breathing deepened.

Los Angeles Times

That, of course, does not mean recording companies are going to become lax in their effort to battle piracy in 2003.

The New York Times

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, there are nearly 200,000 annual travelers between SFO and LAX each year, and nearly 225,000 going between LAX and BOS.

TechCrunch

The following evening our Mayor joined in, as Pink's is going into LAX at the Bradley Terminal this Spring.

Huffington Post

And LA's only true town square, Uber, is not only thriving, but finally goes to LAX.

Vice

Mortgages gone bad and lax regulation in America can cause trade shocks that threaten emerging markets busy trying to employ billions of people.

The Economist

"There's nothing wrong with the business as such, but things had gone a bit lax under the old Browne reign, and the management needs tightening up and focusing," said Alan Beaney, a fund manager with Principal Investment Management.

The New York Times

By 1 a.m., the no-standing policy had gone a bit lax as the good-looking crowd in their late 20s and early 30s began to mingle and a few people spilled over from a booth and into the bar area.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gone lax", ensure that the context clearly indicates what has become less strict or disciplined. Providing specific examples can enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "gone lax" when the intended meaning is simply "disappeared" or "vanished". "Lax" specifically refers to a decline in strictness or diligence, not a general disappearance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gone lax" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a noun that has become less strict or disciplined. Ludwig AI confirms this with its analysis of grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gone lax" is a grammatically correct way to describe a decline in strictness or diligence. Though rarely used it is appropriate in neutral contexts, particularly within news and media reporting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a shift towards reduced standards or enforcement. Remember to use it when describing a specific entity becoming less strict, and not as a general term for disappearance. Consider alternatives like "become lenient" or "loosened up" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become lenient

Indicates a shift towards greater permissiveness, emphasizing a change in attitude or policy.

loosened up

Describes a relaxation of rules or standards, focusing on a decrease in rigidity or strictness.

become slack

Suggests a decrease in diligence or effort, focusing on a reduction in activity or care.

eased up

Describes a reduction in intensity or pressure, focusing on a relaxation of control or enforcement.

become negligent

Implies a failure to exercise reasonable care, highlighting a lack of responsibility or oversight.

let up

Suggests a lessening of effort or restraint, emphasizing a decrease in activity or pressure.

relaxed standards

Focuses specifically on a reduction in the level of expectation or requirement, applicable to rules, criteria, or quality.

become remiss

Denotes a failure to fulfill one's duty or obligation, emphasizing a lapse in performance or conduct.

become permissive

Indicates a greater tolerance of behavior or actions, emphasizing a willingness to allow things that might otherwise be prohibited.

become careless

Indicates a lack of attention or caution, focusing on a disregard for potential consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "gone lax" in a sentence?

You can use "gone lax" to describe a situation where rules, regulations, or standards have become less strict. For example, "After the initial crackdown, security measures at the airport had "gone lax"".

What's a synonym for "gone lax"?

Alternatives include "become lenient", "become slack", or "loosened up", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "security has gone lax"?

Yes, "security has "gone lax"" is a grammatically correct and understandable sentence, implying that security measures have become less stringent.

What's the difference between "gone lax" and "become corrupt"?

"Gone lax" refers to a decrease in strictness or diligence, while "become corrupt" implies dishonesty or illegal behavior. While related, they describe different types of deterioration. You wouldn't replace the first with the second or vice versa.