hear it coming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hear it coming" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe the anticipation of something, usually something negative, that is expected to happen soon. For example: We could all hear it coming from a mile away—the economic recession was on its way.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"They didn't hear it coming," Ghaith said.

The New Yorker

"Then I could hear it coming away above my head.

The Guardian

What with the editorial page and Hergesheimer's stories it is so heavy that the insects can always hear it coming.

The New Yorker

You could hear it coming from the warren of hallways backstage: clickclickclickclickclickclick.

The New York Times

And she might hear it coming from you / you're not her mother.

The New York Times - Magazine

I sometimes imagine the sound the sun would make if we could hear it coming up.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

To hear it come out of the radio — it's an all-points bulletin.

The New Yorker

"They hear it come out, but they don't know how it got there.

The New Yorker

To hear it come out of the radio it's an all-points bulletin.

The New Yorker

"You will never hear it come out, 'Eddie Mullins screwed up, and that is why he got killed,' " said Edward D. Mullins, the president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association police union.

The New York Times

As Billy Wilder pointed out, nobody ever says, "you must go and see that movie, I hear it came in under budget".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hear it coming" when you want to convey a sense of impending awareness, often of something negative or significant. This implies a gradual realization rather than a sudden surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "hear it coming" when describing a sudden, unexpected event. The phrase suggests a build-up or period of anticipation, not an immediate occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hear it coming" functions as a verb phrase expressing anticipation or foresight. It indicates that someone is aware of an impending event, often negative, as Ludwig AI explains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hear it coming" is a common idiom used to express anticipation or awareness of an impending event. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, carrying a neutral tone. While versatile, it is essential to use the phrase when referring to something gradual or expected, not a sudden event. Related phrases include "foresee its approach" or "anticipate its arrival", which provide similar meanings while altering the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foresee its approach

Emphasizes prediction and nearness.

anticipate its arrival

Shifts the focus to predicting arrival rather than auditory perception.

sense its imminence

Highlights feeling the closeness of an event.

detect its onset

Focuses on recognizing the beginning stages.

perceive its development

Emphasizes watching something unfold and realizing it's coming.

recognize the signs

Focuses on interpretation of signs, not necessarily auditory.

see it brewing

Uses a brewing metaphor to suggest something is developing.

feel it in the air

Emphasizes an intuitive sense of something coming.

expect its occurrence

Focuses on general expectation rather than specific sensory input.

know it's looming

Highlights the sense of something large and unavoidable approaching.

FAQs

How can I use "hear it coming" in a sentence?

You can use "hear it coming" to describe anticipating an event, often negative, based on available evidence or signals. For example: "We could all "see it coming" – the company's financial troubles were evident."

What does it mean to "hear something coming"?

To "hear something coming" means to anticipate or expect something to happen, often something undesirable. It implies a level of awareness or foresight about an impending event. The term doesn't necessarily refer to actual sounds.

Are there alternatives to saying "hear it coming"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "foresee it", "anticipate it", or "see the signs" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "hear it coming" a formal or informal expression?

"Hear it coming" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both informal and formal contexts, though it's more common in general news and conversational settings than in highly technical or academic writing.