has become elastic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has become elastic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has gained flexibility or adaptability over time, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The company's policies have become elastic, allowing for more creative solutions to employee issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But time has become elastic.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Commentators from Europe, Turkey and Israel debate if a new red line has been crossed, or if, as a Spanish paper puts it, red lines have become "elastic".

BBC

For instance, the notion of copyright has become exceedingly elastic.

The Guardian - Tech

Our conception of self-defense, both domestically and internationally, has become boundlessly elastic.

The New Yorker

It also helps that the definition of Bollywood has become more elastic.

The New York Times

Their political tunes of justice and solidarity may still sound hollow to some, but they now resonate more widely.The comrades' label has become remarkably elastic.

The Economist

Clearly a social grouping that includes three-quarters of the Cabinet as well as a shabby-genteel pensioner living off capital has become so elastic as to be in grave danger of losing its utility altogether.

Independent

Academic go-to jargon that has become an elastic clich?ow that performance art is the new black, as in, "She stopped short of cutting herself ?a Marina Abramovic, but Lily Allen's harrowing turn at the Chanel hoedown was positively performative.' Shoptimistic/ (sh?t mis tik) / adj.

The New York Times

But although his probable successor, Gordon Brown (who was all but anointed by Mr Blair), will have priorities of his own, he has no disagreement with the emphasis on security in the Queen's Speech.Security has become an infinitely elastic concept covering everything from crime to pensions and climate change.

The Economist

Increasing use of the term by mainstream publications has resulted in controversy, as cinephiles argue that the term has become meaningless or "elastic, a catchall for anything slightly maverick or strange".

Wikipedia

The doctrine that we are presided over by a loving deity has become so rounded and elastic that no earthly evil or natural disaster, it seems, can come into collision with it.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has become elastic" when describing concepts, rules, or definitions that have broadened or become more flexible over time. It's particularly effective when illustrating a shift from strict or rigid interpretations to more accommodating ones.

Common error

Avoid using "has become elastic" in contexts where literal physical elasticity is expected. The phrase is best suited for abstract concepts, not for describing the properties of materials.

Linguistic Context

"Has become elastic" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating a transformation towards greater flexibility or adaptability. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is often used metaphorically to describe abstract concepts rather than physical properties.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has become elastic" is a versatile phrase used to describe the increasing flexibility or adaptability of a concept, rule, or definition. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. When writing, it's crucial to use this phrase metaphorically, applying it to abstract ideas rather than physical properties. Alternatives such as "has grown flexible" and "has turned adaptable" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has grown flexible

Replaces 'elastic' with 'flexible', emphasizing adaptability.

has turned adaptable

Uses 'adaptable' instead of 'elastic', highlighting the ability to adjust to new conditions.

has become more pliable

Substitutes 'elastic' with 'pliable', focusing on ease of manipulation or influence.

has expanded in scope

Replaces 'elastic' with 'expanded in scope', emphasizing broadened coverage or range.

has loosened its boundaries

Focuses on the relaxation of constraints or limits, rather than direct elasticity.

has become less rigid

Highlights the reduction in inflexibility, offering an opposite perspective of increased elasticity.

has gained versatility

Emphasizes acquired ability to be used in various situations or functions.

has become more expansive

Highlights the increased breadth or extent, shifting the focus from flexibility to scale.

has evolved to be adaptable

Specifies the change over time toward adaptability as a result of evolution.

has started to stretch

Illustrates the initial phase of becoming more adaptable or extensible.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has become elastic"?

It generally means that something has become more flexible, adaptable, or less rigid than it used to be. This often applies to rules, definitions, or concepts.

What can I say instead of "has become elastic"?

You can use alternatives like "has grown flexible", "has turned adaptable", or "has become more pliable" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say that a deadline "has become elastic"?

Yes, it's correct. It indicates that the deadline is no longer as strict and has some flexibility in terms of timing.

How does the phrase "has become elastic" differ from "has become meaningless"?

"Has become elastic" implies a broadening or flexibility of definition, while "has become meaningless" suggests a loss of significance or value. The first implies adaptation, the second implies degradation. See also: "has become meaningless".