put in trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

"put in trouble" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use it when you want to refer to a situation in which someone has been placed within a difficult or challenging predicament. For example: "My team's poor performance during the final match put us in trouble and we narrowly avoided relegation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"But if the audience cares about the caricatures you've put in trouble, then jeopardy becomes more easily attained".

The New York Times

Sánchez robbed O'Neil, after the Norwich midfielder had been put in trouble by John Ruddy's risky clearance, and he ushered in Özil.

The Guardian - Sport

Winning the toss in the sole Test of the multi-format series, they opted to make first use of the Waca pitch but were put in trouble by Australia's seamers.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Think you've solved remote access troubles by putting in a firewall?

Forbes

Kyle Walker then put Lloris in trouble with a back pass which gave Austin a great chance to put QPR in front, but Lloris reacted with a fine save to his left.

BBC

Its share of the market for American-built cars soared to over sixty per cent — and set new monthly records, which, among other factors, put Ford in trouble and sent Chrysler running to the government for help.

The New Yorker

The Murray return put him in trouble.

The Guardian - Sport

He pots some crazy balls and gets in even when you put him in trouble.

The Guardian - Sport

The left-handed Tarango put Kafelnikov in trouble by alternating crossing and sideline shots.

The New York Times - Sports

He then mistimes another to put himself in trouble at 0-30.

The Guardian - Sport

An earlier book, "Police Prasanga" (About Police), put you in trouble with the Left Front government of the time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put in trouble", consider the degree of severity. If the situation is life-threatening, stronger words like "endanger" or "jeopardize" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "put in trouble" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing sentences to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put in trouble" functions as a verb phrase, where "put" is the main verb and "in trouble" acts as a prepositional phrase modifying the verb. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable for describing when someone is placed in a difficult situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

General

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put in trouble" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of causing someone or something to be in a difficult situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While it's appropriate for various contexts, including news and general conversation, stronger alternatives like "endanger" or "jeopardize" might be more suitable for life-threatening situations. When writing, avoid overuse and consider varying your vocabulary to maintain engagement. Some key alternatives are "jeopardize", "endanger", and "involve in difficulty".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

involve in difficulty

This alternative directly substitutes "put" with "involve" and "trouble" with "difficulty", keeping the core meaning intact with minor variation in wording.

place in a predicament

Similar to "put in trouble", this phrase emphasizes the difficult or perplexing nature of the situation but can sound more formal.

get into hot water

This idiom suggests facing criticism or punishment for one's actions, often implying a situation caused by one's own fault, whereas "put in trouble" might not be self-induced.

put in a bind

This idiom refers to placing someone in a restrictive and difficult situation where they have limited options, emphasizing constraint over general difficulty.

jeopardize

This phrase indicates that something is at risk of being lost or damaged, often referring to plans, goals, or reputations, whereas "put in trouble" refers to the condition of being in difficulty.

expose to risk

Similar to "endanger", this stresses the potential harm or danger resulting from the action, with "risk" being the main component.

endanger

This term suggests placing someone in a situation where they could be harmed or at risk, implying a higher level of potential danger than "put in trouble".

make vulnerable

This term highlights the act of making someone susceptible to harm or attack, focusing on weakness rather than the difficulty of the situation itself.

complicate matters for

This suggests adding complexity and difficulty to a situation or person's life, thus introducing "trouble" indirectly.

compromise

This suggests a weakening or undermining of something, usually a principle or quality, while "put in trouble" implies a state of difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "put in trouble" in a sentence?

You can use "put in trouble" to describe a situation where someone or something is placed in a difficult or problematic position. For example: "The economic downturn put many businesses in trouble".

What are some alternatives to "put in trouble"?

Alternatives include "endanger", "jeopardize", or "involve in difficulty", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "put in trouble" or "get in trouble"?

"Put in trouble" describes someone else causing the difficulty, while "get in trouble" refers to someone causing their own difficulty. They have different subjects and are not interchangeable.

Can "put in trouble" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "put in trouble" is acceptable in formal writing, but for increased clarity, consider a more precise alternative such as "place in a predicament" in certain contexts.