something's amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something's amiss" is correct and perfectly usable in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which something is not right or is not going according to plan. For example, "I had a feeling something was off as soon as I walked in the room. Something's amiss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

That might sound trivial but it's useful: they know something's amiss when they see a guy with cleated pedals struggling to pedal with trainers, for example.

The Guardian

"It speaks to one of the reasons why methane leaks across the oil and gas supply chain have gone unaddressed for so long — because, unlike an oil spill, it's not immediately apparent to the general public that something's amiss".

Vice

Something's amiss.

The New York Times

"You have this sense that something's amiss".

The New York Times

Fearing something's amiss, they decide to return.

The New York Times - Books

"But where's the outcry, particularly from the concerned states and the U.N.? Something's amiss".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

But something's clearly amiss.

BBC

Something's definitely amiss here.

Vice

"There's something amiss here".

The Guardian

There's something amiss there".

The Guardian

There's something amiss.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something's amiss" when you want to convey a subtle sense that something is wrong or not quite right, without necessarily knowing the exact problem. It's often used to describe a general feeling of unease.

Common error

Avoid using "something's amiss" when a more direct or forceful expression is needed. For instance, if there's clear evidence of fraud, saying "something's amiss" might understate the severity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something's amiss" functions as an expression used to indicate a subtle sense of unease or that something is not quite right. It is used to describe a situation where things don't seem to be as they should be, based on the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something's amiss" is a commonly used phrase to express a subtle feeling that something is not right. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and particularly prevalent in News & Media contexts. It serves to express a general feeling of unease or suspicion, inviting further scrutiny of a situation. While versatile, it's best used when a direct or forceful expression is not required. Alternatives such as "something is wrong" or "something feels off" can be used based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something is not right

Directly states that something is wrong, lacking the subtle nuance of "amiss".

something feels off

Emphasizes a subjective feeling that something is wrong, rather than an objective assessment.

there's something wrong

A more direct and less subtle way of saying something is not as it should be.

something seems fishy

Suggests deception or dishonesty, adding a layer of suspicion not always present in the original phrase.

I sense something awry

Awry is a more formal term implying that something has deviated from the correct course.

something doesn't add up

Implies that facts or details are inconsistent or illogical.

things aren't as they seem

Indicates a discrepancy between appearance and reality, suggesting hidden issues.

I smell a rat

An idiomatic expression indicating suspicion of betrayal or underhandedness.

a red flag has been raised

Indicates a warning sign or potential problem that needs attention.

something's not kosher

Uses the Yiddish term "kosher" to imply something is not legitimate or acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "something's amiss" in a sentence?

You can use "something's amiss" to express a feeling that something is wrong or not as it should be. For example, "I walked into the office and immediately felt that "something's amiss"." or "The numbers don't quite add up; "something's amiss" with the report".

What does "something's amiss" mean?

"Something's amiss" means that there is a sense that something is not right or not in order. It suggests a subtle feeling of unease or that something is wrong without pinpointing the exact issue. Alternatives include "something is not right" or "something feels off".

Is it better to say "something is amiss" or "something's amiss"?

Both "something is amiss" and "something's amiss" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. "Something's amiss" is a contraction of "something is amiss" and is generally more common in informal writing and speech. However, there is no considerable meaning difference, so you can chose depending on your writing register.

What can I say instead of "something's amiss"?

You can use alternatives like "something is wrong", "something is not right", or "something feels off" depending on the context. These phrases convey a similar meaning of a subtle sense that things aren't as they should be.