gutter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gutter" can be correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It is typically used to refer to a channel for water, often found at the edge of a street, or metaphorically to describe something considered low or vulgar. Example: "The rainwater flowed down the street and into the gutter, creating a small stream."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's their business whether they aim for the stars or the gutter.

The Guardian - Sport

She said I'd be in the gutter before I was twenty.

The Guardian - Film

As for Tony Blair, didn't his eldest find his own way into a pub and end up in a gutter?

The Guardian

If Carswell was upset about Farage's gutter comments about HIV, perhaps he was also uneasy about Farage claiming that people were right to be concerned about having Romanian neighbours.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now, the Labour party, as usual, is on the run from the City and the gutter press.

The Guardian - Business

Although the much-discussed post-7/7 flood of tube-shy gutter wobblers turned out to be a temporary spike (an extra 15 per cent, or 4,000 journeys, that lasted two weeks), numbers have doubled in London over the past five years.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Gabrielle Palmer Cambridge In 1967, after George Brown collapsed into a gutter, the Times supported him, saying "George Brown drunk is a better man than the prime minister [Harold Wilson] sober".

The Guardian

In London the Scot carried on much as before, scoring twice in his first match, getting arrested for fighting with Fulham fans, enraging the board of directors by threatening strike action over wages and being pulled drunk from the gutter the night before a match with Derby County.

The Guardian - Sport

Hip-hop sat in the gutter and looked at the world, and decided to conquer it.

The Guardian - Music

"It's at gutter level," said the straight-talking MP, a Greek American raised in New York.

The Guardian

8. Kent describes Oswald as a "base foot-ball player" - a game of the gutter that nobles would never dream of playing in King Lear.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing architecture, use the term "gutter" when referencing the drainage system of a roof, but consider more specific terms like "eavestrough" when precision is required.

Common error

Avoid using "gutter" in purely descriptive contexts where a more neutral term like "channel" or "drain" would be more appropriate, especially when there's a risk of unintended negative connotations. Be mindful of the audience and the potential for misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gutter" is a noun, referring either to a literal channel for water drainage or, metaphorically, to a low or degraded state. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in both concrete and abstract senses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "gutter" is commonly used, functioning primarily as a noun with both literal and figurative meanings. It refers to a drainage channel or, metaphorically, a low or degraded state. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples reveals that while grammatically correct, its figurative usage carries negative connotations and should be employed with awareness of the context. The frequency of its appearance in News & Media underscores its relevance in discussions of social and political issues. When considering related phrases, alternatives such as "drainage channel" or "low point" may provide greater precision or neutrality depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drainage channel

This alternative refers to the literal function of a "gutter" as a channel for draining water.

eavestrough

This is a synonym for a "gutter" specifically attached to the eaves of a building.

ditch

This alternative denotes a trench, similar to a "gutter", often found alongside roads.

low point

This phrase captures the metaphorical sense of "gutter" as a state of degradation or misfortune.

abject condition

This alternative emphasizes the state of being extremely degraded or impoverished, similar to being in the "gutter".

state of degradation

This refers to the condition of being reduced in status or quality, mirroring the metaphorical use of "gutter".

sewer

This alternative emphasizes the unpleasant associations of "gutter" as a place for waste.

moral decay

This reflects the idea of "gutter" as a place representing moral corruption or decline.

trough

A long, narrow open container, similar to a "gutter", typically used to hold water or food for animals.

underworld

This suggests the "gutter" as a place of illicit or criminal activity.

FAQs

How can "gutter" be used metaphorically?

The word "gutter" can be used metaphorically to describe a low or undesirable state, such as "the "gutter press"" or someone's life being "in the gutter".

What are some synonyms for "gutter" when referring to a drainage channel?

When referring to a drainage channel, synonyms for "gutter" include "drainage channel", "eavestrough", and "ditch", depending on the specific type of channel.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "gutter"?

It's appropriate to use "gutter" when referring to a physical drainage channel, or when describing something as being in a low or morally questionable state. However, be mindful of the negative connotations and consider alternative terms in more formal or sensitive contexts.

What does it mean to say someone's 'mind is in the gutter'?

To say someone's "mind is in the gutter" means they are thinking about things that are sexually suggestive or otherwise considered vulgar. It suggests a preoccupation with base or crude topics.