got dirty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got dirty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has become unclean or soiled, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "After playing in the mud, my shoes got dirty and needed to be cleaned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

You've got dirty diapers," she added.

The New York Times

They've got dirty mouths and model-skinny looks.

The New Yorker

Like two buildings collapsed and no one got dirty.

The New York Times

Kacy's braced itself and left picture there until it got dirty.

The New Yorker

"The uniform never got dirty because I didn't wear it very long," Larsen said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Noorda's black-on-white signs also got dirty quickly, so the authority switched to white on black.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The swamp somehow just got dirtier.

The Washington Post

Everyone gets dirty.

The New York Times

Dishes never get dirty.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her sneakers never get dirty.

The New York Times

"People want to get dirty".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got dirty" when describing a process or event that resulted in something becoming unclean. It is appropriate for both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

While "got dirty" is widely understood, it might be too informal for academic or professional writing. In these situations, consider alternatives such as "became soiled" or "was contaminated" to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got dirty" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change of state. It describes the process of becoming unclean or soiled. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

23%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got dirty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, particularly within news, media, and academic contexts. It describes the act of becoming unclean and is typically used in neutral to informal settings. While appropriate for many situations, more formal alternatives such as "became soiled" may be preferable in academic or professional writing. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is correct and widely understood. When intending to say the same thing, you can pick "became soiled" or other synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became soiled

Formal alternative, emphasizing the state of being made unclean.

became stained

Focuses on discoloration as a result of becoming dirty.

was soiled

Passive voice emphasizing the action done to something.

was stained

Passive voice focusing on the discoloration effect.

ended up dirty

Highlights the eventual state of being unclean after an event.

picked up dirt

Emphasizes the action of accumulating dirt.

attracted grime

Focuses on the process of accumulating dirt and filth.

suffered contamination

A more formal way to indicate the item became dirty with contaminants.

degraded

Highlights a decline in quality due to becoming dirty.

became compromised

Focuses on how the item's function is affected by the item getting dirty.

FAQs

How can I use "got dirty" in a sentence?

The phrase "got dirty" describes the action of becoming unclean. For example, "The car "got dirty" after driving on the muddy road."

What's a more formal alternative to "got dirty"?

More formal alternatives include "became soiled", "became stained", or "was contaminated depending on the context".

Is "got dirty" grammatically correct?

Yes, "got dirty" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English.

What does "got dirty" imply?

The phrase "got dirty" generally implies that something has become unclean through contact with dirt, mud, or other substances. It can also be used metaphorically to suggest that something has been compromised or tainted.