it must stink

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it must stink" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that something is likely unpleasant or undesirable, often in a figurative sense. Example: "After hearing about the long hours and low pay, I thought to myself, it must stink to work there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It must stink.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the closing moments of Friday night's embarrassing preseason finale at the Continental Arena, a fan sitting behind the Knicks bench screamed, "It must stink to be a Knick!" Latrell Sprewell, standing on the fringes of the huddle in a gray suit, looked up, allowed his mouth to curve into a bit of a smile and just shrugged his shoulders.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Apparently giraffes can smell fear—I'm not sure what they do when they smell it but I must stink to them.

Vice

My claim to fame now is that Alan Carr quoted a crap comment I made about Sex Box – "That box must stink!" Umar: The most surreal moment for me was seeing a comment I made about Crufts ["The British do love their dogs, like no other nation. I mean the Chinese like dogs as well, but not in the same way"] in print.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You think, "Well, this movie must stink".

TechCrunch

This must stink for Apple, spending all that time negotiating deals left and right only to see these activist judges undo all its work.

TechCrunch

It would stink".

The New York Times

He added: "And if it doesn't exactly stink, it might stink.

The New York Times

Man, doesn't it stink!

The New Yorker

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Huffington Post

Hayley would smell his need, and it stank, it really, truly stank.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it must stink" to express empathetic understanding of an unpleasant situation, but be mindful of your audience and the context, as the phrase can be perceived as informal or insensitive in some situations.

Common error

Avoid using "it must stink" in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "it must be difficult" or "it must be challenging" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it must stink" functions as an expression of empathy or acknowledgement of an unpleasant situation. It conveys a feeling that something is likely undesirable or disappointing. Ludwig AI validates this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it must stink" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express empathy or acknowledge an unpleasant situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While primarily found in news and media contexts, its informal tone makes it more suitable for casual conversations than formal writing. When a more sophisticated tone is needed, consider alternatives like "it must be difficult" or "it must be challenging".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It must be awful

Replaces "stink" with a more general term for unpleasantness.

It must be terrible

Similar to 'awful', this substitutes "stink" for a feeling of dreadfulness.

It must be unpleasant

Uses a more formal and direct term to describe the undesirable nature of something.

It must be no fun

Directly states the lack of enjoyment associated with something.

It must be disagreeable

Employs a slightly more sophisticated word choice to indicate a lack of enjoyment or satisfaction.

It must suck

A more informal and blunt way of saying something is bad or undesirable.

That must be rough

Shifts the focus to the difficulty or hardship of a situation rather than its inherent unpleasantness.

It must be a pain

Highlights the bothersome or troublesome aspect of a situation.

That must be a drag

Uses a colloquial expression to convey the boredom or tediousness of something.

It must be a bummer

Expresses disappointment or regret about something.

FAQs

What does "it must stink" mean?

The phrase "it must stink" is an informal way of saying that something is likely unpleasant, undesirable, or disappointing. It often implies a sense of empathy or understanding towards someone experiencing the situation.

When is it appropriate to use "it must stink"?

It's appropriate to use "it must stink" in casual conversations or informal writing when you want to express sympathy or acknowledge that a situation is likely unpleasant for someone. However, avoid using it in formal or professional contexts where a more sophisticated expression is expected.

What can I say instead of "it must stink"?

You can use alternatives like "it must be awful", "it must be terrible", or "that must be rough" depending on the context. These phrases convey a similar sentiment of something being unpleasant or undesirable.

Is "it must stink" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it must stink" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb structure and uses the modal verb "must" correctly to express a high degree of certainty or logical deduction about a negative situation.