got even stickier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got even stickier" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that has become more complicated or difficult than it was previously. Example: "After the unexpected turn of events, the negotiations got even stickier, making it hard for both parties to reach an agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And that's where things got even stickier.

The Guardian - Sport

It just got even stickier.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The web gets even stickier.

The New York Times

After the film moves to London (and the English language), things get even stickier.

The New York Times

WHEN the vacation involves New York's famously overscheduled children, summer gets even stickier and more complicated.

The New York Times

The criteria get even stickier when it comes down to cases, as made clear by the committee's consideration of one line of research, the attempt to develop a preventive vaccine for the hepatitis C virus, or HCV.

The New York Times - Science

The wicket gets even stickier when it comes to "Couples" (though doesn't it always?) where actors actually make up one and a half of the five couples on the list: Benedict Cumberbatch; his wife, Sophie Hunter and Matt Bomerr (who appears alongside partner Simon Halls, who hails from the PR world).

Los Angeles Times

The situation gets even more sticky when marriage is promoted for specific reasons -- maybe so you can be "right with God," or give your baby a "real dad," or, in this case, avoid poverty.

Huffington Post

And the details get stickier and stickier.

The Guardian - Opinion

The disarmament question is even stickier.

The New York Times - Magazine

Pamela D'Arc, a broker at Stribling & Associates, described an even stickier deal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got even stickier" to vividly describe situations where complications have noticeably increased, making them more difficult to manage or resolve. This phrase adds a touch of informality and emphasis to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "got even stickier" in highly formal or professional documents. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "became more complex" or "turned more challenging" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got even stickier" functions as a predicate in sentences, describing how a situation or matter has evolved to become more complex or difficult. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got even stickier" is a phrase used to describe a situation that has become more complicated or difficult. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English, though it is generally considered neutral to informal in register. While "got even stickier" is mainly found in News & Media sources, it is recommended to use alternative phrases such as "became more complicated" or "turned more difficult" in more formal contexts. Ludwig's examples demonstrate that the term often implies unexpected or unwanted difficulties, adding a vivid touch to descriptions of increasingly challenging situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became more complicated

Uses a more formal and direct way to indicate increased complexity.

became more problematic

Focuses on the troublesome aspect of the situation.

turned more difficult

Highlights the increased level of challenge.

became more challenging

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the situation.

became more intricate

Suggests a higher degree of complexity and detail.

grew more complex

Implies a gradual increase in complexity.

muddied the waters further

A more figurative way of saying things became more confusing.

complicated matters further

A more formal way of saying that complexities have increased.

escalated in difficulty

Implies a rapid increase in the level of difficulty.

deepened the quagmire

Suggests a situation becoming harder to escape or resolve.

FAQs

How can I use "got even stickier" in a sentence?

Use "got even stickier" to describe a situation that has become more complicated or difficult than it was before. For example: "After the unexpected turn of events, the negotiations "got even stickier", making it hard for both parties to reach an agreement."

What are some alternatives to "got even stickier"?

You can use alternatives like "became more complicated", "became more problematic", or "turned more difficult" depending on the context.

Is "got even stickier" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "got even stickier" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, it's better to use more neutral options such as "became more complex" or "grew more intricate".

What does "got even stickier" imply?

The phrase "got even stickier" implies that a situation wasn't easy to begin with, and has since become more difficult or tangled, often unexpectedly. It suggests that resolving the situation is now more challenging.