rising tide

USAGE SUMMARY

"rising tide" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used as a metaphor to describe a situation where something is increasing or becoming more prevalent. It can also refer to a literal rising of the ocean tide. Example: "The rising tide of technology has significantly changed the way we live our lives." In this sentence, "rising tide" is used as a metaphor to describe the increasing impact and influence of technology on society.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Joel surveyed the rising tide.

The New Yorker

A rising tide raises all viewerships.

The New York Times - Magazine

The rising tide is lifting everyone.

The Economist

"A rising tide raises all ships".

The New York Times

I feel a rising tide of ennui.

The New York Times

A rising tide floods all houses.

The New Yorker

Over time there is a rising tide.

The New York Times

A rising tide lifts only big boats.

The New York Times

The Post's View: A rising tide?

The Washington Post

The rising tide lifted all boats.

The New York Times

The recirculating zone is forming particularly during rising tide.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rising tide" when you want to convey the idea that a general improvement or increase will benefit everyone involved, even if not equally. It's particularly effective in discussions about economic policy or social change.

Common error

Avoid using "rising tide" when the benefits of a positive trend are clearly limited to a specific group or sector. Ensure the context genuinely suggests a widespread, if not perfectly equal, distribution of advantages.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rising tide" primarily functions as a metaphorical noun phrase. It often acts as a subject or object in a sentence, representing a force or trend that affects multiple entities. As Ludwig AI also pointed out, it can also be used literally. Its metaphorical use suggests a widespread positive influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rising tide" is a very common and effective metaphor for describing situations where overall improvement benefits many. Ludwig AI underlines that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequent appearance in reputable sources like The New York Times, The Economist and academia contexts confirms its reliability. When using "rising tide", remember that it implies a generally positive impact, making it crucial to ensure this aligns with the context. While adaptable across various registers, it suits neutral to professional communication, emphasizing shared progress rather than isolated gains. While alternatives exist, the phrase "rising tide" retains a unique power in succinctly conveying the idea of collective advancement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

positive development

Highlights that a change is favorable and beneficial.

broad improvement

Emphasizes the widespread nature of the positive change.

widespread progress

Emphasizes how progress is happening across many areas.

general upswing

Focuses on an overall positive trend or movement.

overall advancement

Highlights progress and forward movement on a larger scale.

shared prosperity

Emphasizes wealth and success that is experienced collectively.

growing prosperity

Focuses on increasing wealth and success for many.

collective success

Focuses on the shared aspect of achieving positive results.

economic expansion

Specifically refers to growth and development in the economy.

united growth

Emphasizes growth that occurs when entities act as one.

FAQs

How can I use "rising tide" in a sentence?

The phrase "rising tide" is often used metaphorically to suggest that an overall improvement in something will benefit everyone involved. For example, "A rising tide lifts all boats" implies that economic growth will improve the financial well-being of all members of society.

What does the idiom "a rising tide lifts all boats" mean?

This idiom, which often features the phrase "rising tide", suggests that improvements in a general condition, like the economy, will benefit everyone, even those who are struggling. It's a metaphor for shared prosperity.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "rising tide"?

Use "rising tide" when you want to emphasize that a positive trend has a broad, beneficial impact. It's especially fitting when discussing economic growth, social progress, or any situation where improvement in one area is expected to elevate outcomes for all. Be careful not to suggest improvements are distributed evenly if they are not.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "rising tide"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "general upswing", "broad improvement", or "overall advancement" to convey a similar sense of widespread positive impact.