make headlines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “make headlines” is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you want to describe an event that has been widely reported, either in the news or in social media. For example, "The celebrity's scandalous behavior made headlines around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Aunts, make headlines!

The New Yorker

And it should make headlines.

The New Yorker

Few of them make headlines.

The New York Times

Geologists rarely make headlines.

The Guardian

Surprise airplane landings always make headlines.

The New York Times

This would never normally make headlines.

Independent

His restaurants, mind you, do make headlines.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The move did not make headlines.

The Guardian

Rape, objectification and harassment make headlines daily.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unfortunately this suffering does not make headlines.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those are the incidents that make headlines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make headlines" when you want to indicate that something has gained significant media attention and is being widely discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "make headlines" in casual conversation or informal writing. It's more appropriate for news reports, formal analyses, or discussions of public events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make headlines" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something is becoming prominent in the news media. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make headlines" is a widely recognized idiomatic expression used to describe events that garner significant media attention. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily used in news and media contexts. While highly common, it's best reserved for situations where news coverage is a central aspect. Alternative expressions like "attract media attention" or "become big news" offer similar meanings and can provide nuanced variations. When to use and avoid using "make headlines" is critical to achieving the right impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become big news

Directly refers to becoming an important news story.

attract media attention

Specifically emphasizes drawing the focus of news outlets.

grab attention

Focuses on attracting interest, rather than necessarily being reported in news.

be in the spotlight

Suggests being publicly visible and scrutinized.

become the center of attention

Emphasizes being the focal point of interest.

become widely known

Indicates broad awareness, which may or may not involve formal news coverage.

cause a sensation

Indicates creating a strong and widespread reaction.

gain prominence

Highlights the act of becoming important or well-known.

create a stir

Implies causing excitement or controversy.

generate buzz

Implies creating excitement and conversation, often in a marketing context.

FAQs

How can I use "make headlines" in a sentence?

You can say, "The company's innovative product launch "made headlines"", indicating it received significant media coverage.

What does it mean when something "makes headlines"?

It means the event or topic is newsworthy and has been widely reported in the media, capturing public attention.

Which is a better choice, "make news" or "make headlines"?

"Make headlines" specifically refers to being featured prominently in news media, while "make news" is a broader term referring to any noteworthy event.

What are some alternatives to "make headlines"?

Consider using phrases like "attract media attention", "become big news", or "gain prominence" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.