it gets messy

USAGE SUMMARY

"it gets messy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a situation that has become complicated or chaotic. For example, "The conversation started off calmly, but it quickly got heated and it got messy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

DOX has pKa values of roughly 8.2; because of its amphoteric nature, it gets NH3+ formation in aqueous media due to the protonation of pendent amine group.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

It gets Timultuous.

The Guardian - Sport

It gets HOT in there.

The New York Times - Style

emptywheel (@emptywheel) @joshuafoust It gets POTUS approval.

The Guardian

It gets National Science grants and so on.

The New York Times

Be warned though: it gets 250,000 visitors every year.

The Guardian - Travel

"It gets Microsoft potentially a lot of distribution.

The New York Times

Vegas.com says it gets 850,000 so-called unique visitors monthly.

The New York Times

"That's as physical as it gets," Fish said of Nadal's marathon match.

The New York Times

And, unfortunately, it gets Consumer Reports' lowest reliability ratings and J.D. Power's lowest mechanical quality rating.

Forbes

Cardiac Arrests is competing to fundraise for the It Gets Better Project.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it gets messy" to describe situations where complications or undesirable outcomes are likely to arise. This suggests a lack of control or order.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "it gets messy" for describing complex situations. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "it becomes complicated" or "the situation deteriorates" to provide a richer description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it gets messy" functions as a descriptor of a situation in progress, indicating that the situation is becoming complicated, chaotic, or problematic. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it gets messy" is used to describe a situation becoming complicated or chaotic. While grammatically correct and usable as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it leans towards informal usage. Due to the lack of real-world examples, its authoritative source and frequency are undetermined. For formal settings, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "complications arise" or "the situation deteriorates". When writing, avoid overusing the phrase and try to incorporate synonyms to create more compelling and varied writing. This phrase serves to alert or inform of potential problems or a descent into disorder.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things get complicated

This alternative focuses on the complexity of the situation, rather than the chaos.

the situation deteriorates

This alternative emphasizes the worsening condition of a situation.

it becomes problematic

This alternative highlights the emergence of problems.

complications arise

This alternative focuses on the emergence of complexities.

things fall apart

This alternative uses a more figurative expression to describe a situation collapsing.

things go wrong

This alternative is a general way to describe problems arising.

difficulties emerge

This alternative highlights the emergence of problems or hardships.

chaos ensues

This alternative emphasizes the resulting chaos from an event.

the situation spirals out of control

This alternative suggests a loss of control in the situation.

it descends into chaos

This alternative emphasizes the downward spiral into a state of disorder.

FAQs

How can I use "it gets messy" in a sentence?

You can use "it gets messy" to describe a situation that is becoming complicated or chaotic. For instance, "The negotiations started well, but "things get complicated" when money is involved."

What are some alternatives to "it gets messy"?

You can use alternatives like "the situation deteriorates", "things fall apart", or "chaos ensues" to convey similar meanings.

Is "it gets messy" formal or informal?

"It gets messy" is generally considered informal. For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it becomes problematic" or "complications arise".

When is it appropriate to use "it gets messy"?

Use "it gets messy" when you want to express that a situation is likely to become complicated, disorganized, or unpleasant. It's suitable for casual conversations and informal writing but may be too colloquial for professional or academic contexts.