gone stale

USAGE SUMMARY

"gone stale" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe an object or situation that has become old, uninteresting, or out of date. For example, "The party was beginning to feel a bit stale – the jokes had gone stale and there wasn't much enthusiasm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The method had gone stale.

The New York Times - Magazine

This was a parody, and twenty years later, it has gone stale".

The New Yorker

It was always filled with gingersnaps that had gone stale in the shop.

The New Yorker

It was clearer than ever that the series's long-standing revue format has gone stale.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not that skating has gone stale in Westchester or is booming in New Jersey.

The New York Times

The wit of the joke has long gone stale, but she cherishes it for its familiarity.

The Guardian - Books

He calls it an instance of a good idea and good intentions gone stale.

The New York Times

Dealing and Reality The oranges had gone stale in the window long ago.

The New York Times

Some of the gain came from men replenishing wardrobes gone stale from casual Fridays.

The New York Times

Maybe some of the patter and the mime have gone stale.

The Guardian

He has developed a new type of electronic nose that can, among other things, tell when wine has gone stale.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gone stale" to describe situations, ideas, or relationships that have lost their freshness or effectiveness. For example, "The political debate has gone stale after years of the same arguments."

Common error

Avoid using "gone stale" to describe physical objects that simply age or decay. For example, while bread can literally go stale, using the phrase for something like an old building is less appropriate; use "decayed" or "deteriorated" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gone stale" functions as a verb phrase, typically used in the past perfect tense. It describes a state of decline or loss of freshness, interest, or effectiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gone stale" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe something that has lost its freshness, appeal, or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and frequency. It's most often found in News & Media contexts, with a neutral register. When using "gone stale", it's best to describe abstract concepts or situations rather than physical objects, and to consider alternatives like ""become uninteresting"" or ""outdated"" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey. The phrase effectively communicates a sense of decline or disappointment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become uninteresting

Focuses on the loss of interest or appeal.

lost its novelty

Emphasizes the initial excitement fading away.

lost its edge

Implies a reduction in effectiveness or impact.

turned sour

Suggests a negative change or decline in quality.

became outdated

Highlights the irrelevance or obsolescence of something.

grown tiresome

Emphasizes the feeling of weariness or boredom.

become passé

Indicates that something is no longer fashionable or current.

faded away

Suggests a gradual decline or disappearance.

decayed

Highlights a decline in quality.

degenerated

The subject has degraded from its initial conditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "gone stale" to describe something that has lost its appeal or effectiveness. For example, "The relationship had "gone stale" after years of routine".

What can I say instead of "gone stale"?

Alternatives include "become uninteresting", "lost its novelty", or "become outdated" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "gone stale" to describe food?

While "gone stale" can describe food, it's more commonly used for abstract concepts. For food, consider alternatives like "spoiled" or "rancid".

What's the difference between "gone stale" and "outdated"?

"Gone stale" suggests a loss of freshness or interest, while "outdated" implies that something is no longer current or applicable. You might say a joke has "gone stale", but software is "outdated".