has overstayed its welcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has overstayed its welcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something or someone has been present for too long and is no longer welcome or appreciated. Example: "The party was fun at first, but by midnight, the excitement had faded, and the crowd felt like it had overstayed its welcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Given how long No Child Left Behind has overstayed its welcome, it may be especially important to get the next reauthorization right.

Huffington Post

The era of media dominance of our political system has lasted 40 years, ever since the news organizations brought down first Johnson and then Nixon.... Now, it appears, it has overstayed its welcome; its reign is ending.

The New York Times - Books

Even though some think this show has overstayed its welcome (never!), it's lived a longer life than any of Shonda Rhimes' other shows.

Huffington Post

The village is losing the support of some officials, who say it has overstayed its welcome.

The New York Times

It has overstayed its welcome.

Huffington Post

Summer heat has overstayed its welcome for many in September.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Monarchy had overstayed its welcome, but it still pressed heavy upon society.

Huffington Post

Perhaps Edinburgh's dancegoers had enough rain and miserable dampness outside the theatre to warrant being reminded of it inside the theatre too, but after 20 minutes it was plain that For MG had overstayed its welcome.

The Guardian

Entertainment Weekly writer Henning Fog said "Kaboom" continued a trend of superior Parks episodes in season two, and praised the episode for filling in the pit, claiming it "both tied up a plot thread that had overstayed its welcome and put to rest any lingering ghosts from the first six episodes".

Wikipedia

Several people who live nearby and said they supported Occupy's overall message said they nevertheless believed that the group had overstayed its welcome.

The New York Times

He said the unity government had "overstayed its welcome".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "has overstayed its welcome" when you want to express that something or someone's prolonged presence is now unwanted or detrimental. It carries a slightly negative connotation and is suitable for situations where patience has been exhausted.

Common error

Avoid using "has overstayed its welcome" in situations where you want to express that something is still enjoyable or beneficial. The phrase inherently implies a negative shift in perception due to prolonged duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has overstayed its welcome" functions as a predicate, typically following a subject to indicate that the subject's presence or duration has become undesirable. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has overstayed its welcome" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something or someone's presence has become undesirable due to its prolonged duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and informal discussions. While the phrase carries a negative connotation, its neutral register makes it suitable for a range of situations where one wants to convey disapproval of something's extended presence. Alternative phrases such as "is no longer welcome" or "has worn out its welcome" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is no longer welcome

Directly states the lack of welcome, focusing on current status.

has worn out its welcome

Emphasizes the exhaustion of goodwill or patience.

is unwelcome now

Highlights the current state of being unwanted.

is past its prime

Indicates that something was once desirable but is no longer so.

is staying too long

Focuses on the duration of the stay and its inappropriateness.

has become a burden

Highlights the negative impact of the continued presence.

outstayed its time

Indicates exceeded duration for its intended existence.

is overextended

Suggests that the duration of presence has been stretched too far.

is no longer needed

Focuses on lack of utility.

has lost its appeal

Implies a decline in attractiveness or value over time.

FAQs

How can I use "has overstayed its welcome" in a sentence?

You can use "has overstayed its welcome" to describe anything from a house guest to a political policy. For example, "The summer heat "summer heat" has overstayed its welcome this year", or "The old law "old law" has overstayed its welcome and needs to be updated".

What's a more formal way to say "has overstayed its welcome"?

While "has overstayed its welcome" is suitable for many contexts, a more formal alternative could be "is no longer tenable" or "has exceeded its useful duration". Consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate phrasing.

What can I say instead of "has overstayed its welcome" to be less harsh?

If you want to be less critical, you might say something like "is nearing the end of its usefulness" or "may need to be re-evaluated" instead of saying that something "has overstayed its welcome".

Is it always negative to say something "has overstayed its welcome"?

Yes, the phrase "has overstayed its welcome" always carries a negative connotation. It implies that something or someone was once acceptable or even desired, but their continued presence has become undesirable.