put under the spotlight

USAGE SUMMARY

'put under the spotlight' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation in which someone or something is the focus of attention or scrutiny. For example, "The politician's controversial views were put under the spotlight during the debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Its fiscal privileges have been put under the spotlight.

The New York Times

At times he gets put under the spotlight".

The New York Times - Sports

He may have riffed on the ideas of his past as put under the spotlight in his Montreal exhibit.

The New York Times

Nonlinear devices are usually put under the spotlight of harmonic analysis as the main sources of harmonic distortion within residential low voltage grids.

Electric Power Systems Research

Dodgy practices are put under the spotlight here, along with the power imbalance that traps young academics.

The Guardian

Salaries were put under the spotlight and the entire sector has had to rethink how it contacts supporters.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

The problem is I don't think that difference exists in the minds of the public, particularly when you consider how unlikely it is in Wales to have anything other than a Labour-led administration in Cardiff Bay, so inevitably the debate comes back to the record of the Welsh government and that is what we'll be putting under the spotlight this week. 　.

BBC

Testimony given during the prosecution of Manning indicated that at least seven "founders, owners or managers or WikiLeaks" were put under the FBI spotlight in the wake of Manning's disclosures.

The Guardian - Tech

Cyberweapons have been covert military and intelligence tools since the 1990s but it was only in 2010 that the strategic potential of weaponised code was put under the global spotlight.

Nature

Berridge also referred to the recent documentary about the Baby P case, saying the programme showed that social workers were put under the media spotlight in a way that health professionals and the police were not.

The Guardian

Greenberg should be put under the harsh spotlight of public scrutiny too, instead of being allowed to shoot his mouth off on CNBC or Bloomberg, where his inquisitors are invariably obsequious.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase in formal writing, ensure the context aligns with its neutral tone; avoid using it in overly casual or colloquial situations.

Common error

While "put under the spotlight" is acceptable in news and media, avoid overuse in casual conversation where simpler terms like "highlight" or "focus on" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put under the spotlight" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used in the passive voice. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage in English. It describes the action of subjecting something or someone to intense scrutiny or public attention, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put under the spotlight" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something or someone being subjected to intense scrutiny or attention. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news and media, its neutral tone makes it suitable for professional and academic contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in overly casual settings, opting for simpler alternatives like "highlight" when appropriate. Understanding its nuanced application ensures effective and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highlight

A shorter, more direct synonym focusing on bringing attention to something.

draw attention to

Implies attracting notice to a particular subject or issue.

focus attention on

Similar to drawing attention, but more deliberate and controlled.

bring to the fore

Suggests making something prominent or important.

call attention to

A more straightforward way of saying to draw attention to something.

emphasize

Means to give special importance or prominence to something.

give prominence to

Similar to bringing to the fore, but more formal.

scrutinize

Implies a detailed and critical examination.

underscore

Implies emphasizing the importance or significance of something.

throw light on

Indicates revealing or clarifying something.

FAQs

How can I use "put under the spotlight" in a sentence?

You can use "put under the spotlight" to indicate that something is receiving a lot of attention or scrutiny. For example, "The new policy was "put under the spotlight" after several complaints were filed".

What are some alternatives to "put under the spotlight"?

Alternatives include "highlight", "draw attention to", or "bring to the fore" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "put in the spotlight" instead of "put under the spotlight"?

While "put in the spotlight" can be understood, ""put under the spotlight"" is the more common and idiomatic expression.

What does it mean when something is "put under the spotlight"?

It means that something is being subjected to intense examination or public attention, often because it is controversial, important, or newsworthy.