in big trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

"in big trouble" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which one is facing a difficult or serious problem. For example: "I'm in big trouble after failing my math exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Actually, they're in big trouble.

The New Yorker

You're in big trouble.

The Washington Post

I'm in big trouble!

The New York Times

I think she's in big trouble.

Independent

Elephants are in big trouble.

The Guardian

Atlético are in big trouble.

The Guardian - Sport

He'll be in big trouble".

The New York Times

Otherwise, we're in big trouble".

The New York Times - Sports

F1 is in big trouble.

The Guardian - Sport

And they are in big trouble.

Stanford University

"Absolutely, we're in big trouble," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the severity, consider pairing "in big trouble" with additional descriptive words or phrases. For example, "They are in really big trouble", or "The project is in big trouble and needs immediate attention".

Common error

While "in big trouble" is widely understood, it can sound informal in highly professional or academic settings. For these situations, opt for more formal alternatives such as "in serious difficulty" or "facing a significant crisis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in big trouble" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the state or condition of a subject. It indicates that someone or something is experiencing significant difficulties or problems. Ludwig AI examples show it used across various contexts to convey the severity of a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in big trouble" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to describe situations involving significant difficulties or problems. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for general use, consider more formal alternatives like "in serious difficulty" for academic or professional settings. Remember to emphasize the severity by pairing it with descriptive language to get the full impact of a difficult situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In serious difficulty

Focuses on the severity of the difficulty faced.

In dire straits

Emphasizes the extreme severity and urgency of the situation.

Facing a crisis

Highlights the critical nature of the situation.

On the verge of disaster

Indicates an imminent and potentially catastrophic outcome.

In a predicament

Suggests a difficult or unpleasant situation that is not easily resolved.

In hot water

Suggests being in trouble, often due to one's own actions.

In a bind

Implies being in a difficult situation where one's freedom of action is restricted.

In a tight spot

Indicates a difficult situation with limited options.

Up against it

Implies facing significant challenges or opposition.

Having a hard time

Describes experiencing difficulties or challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "in big trouble" in a sentence?

You can use "in big trouble" to describe a situation where someone or something is facing significant difficulties. For example, "If you don't submit your assignment on time, you'll be "in big trouble"".

What's a more formal way to say "in big trouble"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "in serious difficulty", "facing a significant crisis", or "in dire straits" as alternatives to "in big trouble".

Are there any synonyms for "in big trouble" that emphasize the severity of the situation?

Yes, phrases like "in dire straits" or "on the verge of disaster" can emphasize the extreme severity and urgency of the situation compared to simply being "in big trouble".

Is it correct to use "in big trouble" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "in big trouble" might be considered too informal for academic writing. In such cases, it's better to use more formal and precise language, such as "in serious difficulty".