it has guts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has guts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that shows courage, boldness, or determination. Example: "The film really has guts, tackling difficult subjects that many others shy away from."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It has guts.

The New York Times

"It has guts," he said.

The New York Times

"The movie is a coming-together of two free spirits, Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page, and while it may not reflect the kind of female empowerment Gloria Steinem had in mind, it has guts, charm, and a black-and-blue sweetness," writes Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Guardian - Film

The film received generally positive reviews (critic Roger Ebert wrote, "While it may not reflect the kind of female empowerment Gloria Steinem had in mind, it has guts, charm, and a black-and-blue sweetness"), but it wasn't a box-office success.

The Guardian

Darné's book has heart, it has guts, it has pain, and it has the clear light of our essential human condition.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It has gutted our military.

The New Yorker

It has gutted manufacturing jobs and made a mockery of our emissions targets.

The Guardian

Selling through the Web is indeed a powerful idea — consider the way it has gutted the book industry — and by now conventional marketing.

The New York Times - Arts

It has gutted civil liberties (the war on terror is just the war on drugs on crack, after all).

Huffington Post

It has gutted environmental regulations and declared victory in ending a perceived "war" that it accuses the Obama administration of waging on fossil fuels.

Huffington Post

By the time they returned, the fire had been put out, but it had gutted the first floor and made the top two floors uninhabitable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has guts" when you want to emphasize that something demonstrates courage and determination, especially in the face of adversity or risk.

Common error

While appropriate for informal settings, avoid overusing "it has guts" in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "it demonstrates courage" or "it exhibits fortitude" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has guts" functions as a descriptive expression, attributing the quality of courage or boldness to a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its use in describing entities that demonstrate bravery or are willing to take risks.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Film

10%

Books

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has guts" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe something exhibiting courage, boldness, or determination. Although Ludwig indicates it's relatively rare, its use is generally appropriate in neutral to informal contexts, particularly in news, media, and discussions about film or books. For more formal settings, alternatives like "it demonstrates courage" or "it exhibits fortitude" may be preferred. It is essential to avoid overusing "it has guts" in situations that require a more sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it shows courage

Replaces "guts" with the more formal term "courage".

it demonstrates bravery

Substitutes "guts" with "bravery", emphasizing a courageous quality.

it exhibits boldness

Replaces "guts" with "boldness", highlighting a daring aspect.

it displays fortitude

Emphasizes the strength and resilience implied by "guts" through the word "fortitude".

it is fearless

Focuses on the absence of fear, a key component of having "guts".

it is dauntless

Conveys unwavering determination despite challenges, similar to having "guts".

it has nerve

Uses "nerve" as a synonym for "guts", suggesting boldness and daring.

it takes courage

Shifts the focus to the act of requiring courage, rather than the inherent quality.

it is audacious

Emphasizes the willingness to take risks, a characteristic associated with "guts".

it is valiant

Highlights the bravery and heroism implied by "guts".

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "it has guts"?

Saying "it has guts" means that something, whether it's a movie, a book, or an action, demonstrates courage, boldness, or determination in the face of challenges.

What can I say instead of "it has guts"?

You can use alternatives like "it shows courage", "it demonstrates bravery", or "it exhibits boldness" depending on the context.

Is "it has guts" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it has guts" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using synonyms like "it demonstrates courage" or "it displays fortitude".

How can I use "it has guts" in a sentence?

You can use "it has guts" to describe something that takes risks or challenges conventions. For example, "The film really "it has guts", tackling difficult subjects that many others shy away from."