got stuck up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got stuck up" is correct and usable in written English, though it may be considered informal.
It can be used to describe someone who has become arrogant or conceited, often after achieving success or gaining a higher social status. Example: "Ever since he got that promotion, he seems to have gotten stuck up and no longer associates with his old friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"I got stuck up here three times myself".

The New York Times

"That's the first time a ball ever got stuck up in a tree on me," McIlroy said, laughing.

The New York Times - Sports

Having abandoned my first attempt in battering afternoon humidity – heeding the warning about an Italian girl who got stuck up there one night and came down the next morning wild-eyed and shrieking – I woke at 5.20am for the gruelling trek to 359 metres above sea level.

Independent

Add a couple of broken wrists, several nasty bruises and plenty of unintentional slapstick (at one preview, Spidey got stuck up in the rafters and reacted by waving to the audience) and you can see why tickets to the preview are disappearing faster than a Sky Sports pundit's credibility.

The Guardian

The Playstation got stuck up before the NYPD ever got their hands on it.

Vice

I got stuck up a tree when I was about seven, and my dad had to come and get the ladder to get me down.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He probably won't get stuck up a zipwire, but the 2012 Games will be a hard act to follow.

Independent

"You've always been an independent person, but suddenly, you can't do these things anymore, darling, and you get stuck up here," Ms. Gantly said.

The New York Times

("It's because they get stuck up there," explained Mr. Roe's friend Hugh Ryan, who had traveled with him to Oulu. "They've got this image of being cute and cuddly, but they're rodents". Well, marsupials, actually).

The New York Times

"In the North and Northwest Side it's clean, you can walk up and down the street without getting stuck up," said Carl Hill, 62, who is black and lives on the South Side.

The New York Times

There are reports of drivers crashing cars while surreptitiously playing on their phones; and a woman rescued by emergency services after getting stuck up a tree while chasing Pokémon.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone who has become arrogant after success, use "got stuck up" sparingly. While grammatically correct, it leans towards informal speech and might not suit formal writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives such as "became conceited" or "turned arrogant".

Common error

Avoid using "got stuck up" in academic or business writing. Its informal nature might undermine the seriousness or professionalism of your message. Opt for more formal alternatives to maintain a consistent tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got stuck up" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used to describe a change in someone's behavior, specifically becoming arrogant or conceited. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Examples found in Ludwig illustrate its usage in describing people who have become snobbish after achieving success.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got stuck up" is an informal phrasal verb used to describe someone who has become arrogant or conceited, often after achieving success. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct but notes its informal nature. Therefore, its usage is best suited for casual conversations or less formal writing, as revealed by Ludwig's examples primarily drawn from news media and online content. For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "became arrogant" or "became conceited" to maintain a professional tone. The phrase's communicative purpose is usually to express disapproval of someone's inflated ego. It's important to be mindful of the context and audience when using this phrase to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became conceited

Focuses on the resulting state of being overly proud or vain.

turned arrogant

Emphasizes the shift in behavior towards haughtiness.

became pretentious

Highlights the act of trying to appear more important or knowledgeable than one is.

grew haughty

Stresses the development of a superior and disdainful attitude.

got a swelled head

An informal idiom indicating inflated ego or pride.

became snobbish

Implies adopting an attitude of disdain for those considered inferior.

got too big for their boots

An idiom suggesting someone has become overly confident and arrogant.

became elitist

Focuses on adopting the beliefs and practices of an exclusive group.

developed a superiority complex

Highlights the psychological aspect of feeling superior to others.

got above themselves

Suggests someone is behaving as if they are better or more important than they really are.

FAQs

How can I use "got stuck up" in a sentence?

You can use "got stuck up" to describe someone who has become arrogant or conceited, especially after achieving some form of success. For example, "Ever since he won the lottery, he's "got stuck up" and doesn't talk to us anymore."

What's a more formal way to say "got stuck up"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "became arrogant", "turned conceited" or "developed a superiority complex". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "got stuck up"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, though it's considered informal. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

What does it mean when someone says another person "got stuck up"?

When someone says another person ""got stuck up"", it means they believe that person has become arrogant, conceited, or snobbish, often due to a change in status or success.