has gone sour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has gone sour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or relationship that has deteriorated or become unpleasant. Example: "Their friendship has gone sour after the argument they had last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Film

Travel

Lifestyle

Sports

Opinion

Business

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The economy has gone sour.

The Economist

Perfect if your night has gone sour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The trouble is, the deal has gone sour.

Independent

Sin City's lucky streak, it seems, has gone sour.

The New York Times - Travel

But when the comfortable have given up, some center of this city has gone sour.

The New York Times

Mr. Wu says they will: in three decades, he insists, not one business venture has gone sour.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

But things had gone sour with the brother-in-law.

The New Yorker

Several British water utilities have recently made provisions for foreign deals that have gone sour.

The Economist

Some reports say 2 trillion yuan of local-authority loans have gone sour.

The Economist

While some have gone sour, others have become major parts of the company.

The Washington Post

Showmances have gone sour; shoelaces and bouquets and whiskey bottles seem to have devilish lives of their own.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has gone sour" to describe situations, relationships, or even food quality that have noticeably declined or become unpleasant. This phrase is effective in conveying a sense of disappointment or failure.

Common error

While "has gone sour" is widely understood, it may sound too informal for highly professional or academic writing. Opt for phrases like "has deteriorated" or "has declined" in those settings to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

Idiomatic expression indicating a decline or deterioration. The phrase "has gone sour" functions as a verbal phrase, expressing a negative transformation or decline in condition, quality, or relationship, as supported by examples on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Film

4%

Travel

4%

Lifestyle

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has gone sour" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe a situation, relationship, or item that has deteriorated or become unpleasant. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. While versatile, it is more suited for neutral to informal contexts, as more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "has deteriorated". This expression effectively conveys disappointment or failure, and is frequently encountered in news, media and academia. When writing, keep in mind that other similar options are available such as "has turned bad", "has deteriorated" or "has soured".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has turned bad

Emphasizes a change to a negative state, focusing on the result.

has deteriorated

Highlights the process of decline over time, often gradual.

has soured

A more concise way of saying something has become unpleasant.

has declined

Focuses on a downward trend or decrease in quality or status.

has worsened

Indicates an aggravation of an existing negative condition.

has gone downhill

An informal expression suggesting a rapid decline.

has fallen apart

Suggests a complete breakdown or failure.

has become unpleasant

Emphasizes the disagreeable nature of the current state.

has taken a turn for the worse

Implies a sudden and unfavorable change in circumstances.

has reached a low point

Indicates that the situation is at its worst.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has gone sour"?

When something "has gone sour", it means it has deteriorated, declined in quality, or become unpleasant. It can refer to relationships, situations, or even food.

What can I say instead of "has gone sour"?

You can use alternatives like "has turned bad", "has deteriorated", or "has soured" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "has gone sour"?

Yes, "has gone sour" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense with the verb "go" and the adjective "sour" to describe a completed change of state.

How can I use "has gone sour" in a sentence?

You can use "has gone sour" to describe various situations. For example, "Their relationship has gone sour after the argument" or "The milk has gone sour; it smells awful".