in its day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in its day" is correct and usable in written English.
It often refers to a thing or event from the past that was once popular or successful, implying that it is no longer as successful or relevant. For example: "The Nokia 3310 was a classic cell phone in its day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In its day, it worked brilliantly.

The New York Times - Magazine

Useful in its day, it is a disaster now.

The New York Times

In its day, it was a testament to the wonders of molded birch.

The New York Times - Magazine

In its day, it was considered one of the most modern car plants in the world.

The Washington Post

In its day it has taken quite a paddling.

Los Angeles Times

In its day it was one of the nicer buildings.

Los Angeles Times

In its day, which was 1593, it was wildly popular.

The New York Times

It was a thriller in its day".

Huffington Post

It was a statue hated in its day.

The Guardian - Arts

It was a transformingly radical statement in its day.

The New York Times

Despite Dooley selling millions of copies in its day, few have ever heard of it since.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in its day" to highlight a contrast between past relevance and present status, showing how something's significance has changed over time.

Common error

Avoid using "in its day" when referring to something that is still currently relevant or popular. It implies a past era of importance that no longer holds true.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in its day" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to specify the time period when something was relevant or prominent. As Ludwig AI explains, this is often used to highlight a contrast between past and present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in its day" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to something that was once important, popular, or innovative. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used to contrast past significance with present status, adding historical context. This adverbial phrase is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, appearing most often in news and media, followed by academic writing. To add variety to your writing, consider alternatives like "in its prime" or "during its heyday", ensuring the chosen phrase aligns with the intended nuance. Remember, "in its day" emphasizes a shift in relevance, so use it judiciously to highlight how things have changed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in its prime

Focuses on the period of greatest success or strength, rather than a general time frame.

at its peak

Similar to "in its prime", highlighting the highest point of achievement.

when it was popular

Directly states the popularity of something in the past.

during its heyday

Evokes a sense of a vibrant and flourishing past.

in its golden age

Implies a period of great cultural or artistic achievement.

back in the day

A more informal way to refer to a past time, often with a nostalgic tone.

in former times

A more formal and general way to refer to the past.

once upon a time

Evokes a sense of fairy tales or distant past.

in the past

A very general way to refer to something from a previous time.

formerly

Simply indicates that something was true at an earlier time.

FAQs

How can I use "in its day" in a sentence?

You can use "in its day" to describe something that was once popular, important, or innovative but is no longer so. For example, "That technology was revolutionary "in its day"."

What's a synonym for "in its day"?

Synonyms include "in its prime", "at its peak", or "during its heyday", all conveying a sense of past glory.

Is it correct to say "in its days" instead of "in its day"?

While "in its days" might seem logical, the standard and more common expression is "in its day". "Day" here refers to a period or era, not literal days.

What's the implication of using "in its day"?

Using "in its day" implies that something's relevance or importance has diminished over time. It suggests a contrast between past significance and present status.