put a hex on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put a hex on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to witchcraft, curses, or when discussing the idea of bringing bad luck to someone. Example: "After their bitter argument, she jokingly said she would put a hex on him for the rest of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Someone put a hex on you?

The New York Times

Baseball, it seemed, had put a hex on dullness.

The New Yorker

It was as if someone had put a hex on him.

The New York Times - Sports

We want to remedy crimes against humanity, to put a hex on torturers and environment wreckers.

The New York Times

You see, any fairies still caught in the loaf will put a hex on it.

The New York Times - Food

When New York magazine wrote an unfavorable profile of her, she "decided to put a hex" on the magazine's editor, Clay Felker.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

– puts a hex on himself by the brilliance of his special effects.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then he puts a hex on a local contractor named Woodall that causes him to die in a plane crash.

The New York Times - Books

By sheer power of loathing, Skinner puts a hex on Kibby, whereby the heavy toll of his bingeing is exacted not on his own body, but Kibby's.

The Guardian - Books

He will play a businessman whose life takes a wacky turn when a bad blind date puts a hex on him.

The New York Times - Arts

The museum had run out of books and I heard Kozma putting a hex on the Dodgers — something about hoping they get buried next season.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put a hex on" to express a wish for misfortune, often in a playful or figurative sense. For a more serious tone, consider alternatives like "curse".

Common error

While "put a hex on" can be used in informal settings, avoid it in formal or professional contexts where a more neutral or serious tone is required. Opt for more formal terms like "adversely affect" or "negatively impact".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put a hex on" functions as a verbal expression used to describe the act of wishing or intending misfortune upon someone or something. Ludwig AI shows examples ranging from sports to personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put a hex on" is a grammatically correct and usable expression primarily used to convey the intent of wishing misfortune. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, while grammatically sound, its usage is typically informal and should be adapted based on context. Predominantly found in News & Media, where it's used to report beliefs and related events, and to a lesser extent in Wiki content, "put a hex on" carries a distinct connotation tied to superstition and magic. It is important to consider the level of formality, and in many cases, consider using a phrase with an equivalent intent, like "cast a spell on" or "curse", to make your text more appropriate for different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cast a spell on

Focuses more on the magical aspect, implying a ritualistic process.

curse

A more direct and forceful way of wishing harm.

place a curse on

Emphasizes the action of setting a curse in motion.

jinx

Suggests a lighter, less severe form of bad luck.

put a jinx on

More direct with less focus on ritual.

hex

A shorter, more colloquial term for placing a curse.

doom

Implies a more severe and inescapable fate.

bring bad luck to

A more general way of describing the action of causing misfortune.

give the evil eye

Specific to a malevolent glare believed to cause harm.

afflict

Suggests causing pain or suffering through supernatural means.

FAQs

How can I use "put a hex on" in a sentence?

You can use "put a hex on" to express wishing bad luck or misfortune on someone or something, often in a joking manner. For example: "I'm going to put a hex on the team that beat us."

What is a more formal alternative to "put a hex on"?

While "put a hex on" is informal, alternatives like "curse" or "jinx" can be used in less casual settings, depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "put a hex on"?

Yes, "put a hex on" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase in English. It follows standard verb-object construction.

What's the difference between "put a hex on" and "cast a spell on"?

While both imply using supernatural powers, "put a hex on" specifically refers to wishing bad luck or misfortune, while "cast a spell on" can encompass a broader range of magical intentions, both good and bad.