stemming the tide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stemming the tide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to counteract or reduce a negative trend or overwhelming situation. Example: "The government is working hard on policies aimed at stemming the tide of unemployment in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

At his news conference, General McKiernan appeared concerned about stemming the tide of pessimism.

The New York Times

It must start by stemming the tide of public sector job losses that are so damaging to our country".

Independent

Speaks of Humphrey's woes-meeting payrolls, & hotel bills, stemming the tide of disaffection & defeatism, assembling bodies for for rallies.

The New Yorker

Indian lawmakers have taken a number of steps aimed at stemming the tide of money rushing out of the country.

The New York Times

Major League Baseball's testing process is secretive, and the penalties are not stemming the tide of steroid use.

The New York Times

Cameron said his focus on expanding the single market and stemming the tide of regulations would support jobs and growth.

The Guardian

It is the most exclusionary measure the country has tried in hopes of stemming the tide of asylum-seekers, which has become a hot-button political issue.

The New York Times

Congress has tried to reform the nation's patent system in the hopes of stemming the tide of lawsuits that technology companies say are clogging the courts.

The New York Times - Tech

We pulled over to shut off the offending technology, stemming the tide of barely familiar colleagues who would send us their misbegotten congratulations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Today, Ocean Conservancy released a major report: Stemming the Tide-Land-based strategies for a plastic-free ocean.

Huffington Post

A lot of the more explicit Keynesian remedies, like stimulus spending and the like, will need an evaluation of what they did in stemming the tide….

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stemming the tide" when you want to convey the idea of actively resisting a growing negative trend or overwhelming force. It implies effort and potential difficulty in achieving the desired outcome.

Common error

While "stemming the tide" is a vivid phrase, avoid using it in very informal or casual settings. Simpler expressions may be more appropriate for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stemming the tide" functions as a verbal phrase, often used as a gerund or present participle. Ludwig examples demonstrate its role in describing actions aimed at counteracting negative trends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stemming the tide" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes efforts to counteract a negative trend or overwhelming force. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in a variety of contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. Analysis of the examples shows that authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ it to describe situations where active resistance is being mounted against growing problems. While alternatives like "halting the advance" or "reversing the trend" exist, "stemming the tide" offers a vivid and impactful way to convey the challenge and determination involved in such efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

halting the advance

This alternative focuses on stopping the forward movement of something negative.

curtailing the spread

This suggests limiting the extent to which something undesirable expands.

checking the growth

This is more about controlling the increase or development of something negative.

impeding the progress

This focuses on hindering the forward movement of something unwanted.

reversing the trend

This emphasizes changing the direction of an existing pattern.

combating the surge

This suggests a direct fight against a sudden increase.

mitigating the impact

This focuses on reducing the negative effects of something.

containing the problem

This suggests keeping a difficulty within certain limits.

suppressing the outbreak

This is more about stopping a sudden and forceful occurrence.

alleviating the crisis

This focuses on making a critical situation less severe.

FAQs

How can I use "stemming the tide" in a sentence?

You can use "stemming the tide" to describe efforts to stop or reverse a negative trend. For example, "The new policies are aimed at stemming the tide of unemployment."

What's a good alternative to "stemming the tide"?

Alternatives include "halting the advance", "curtailing the spread", or "reversing the trend", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "stemming the tide" a formal or informal expression?

"Stemming the tide" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for news articles, business reports, and academic papers.

What kind of situations is "stemming the tide" best suited for?

It is best used when describing efforts to counteract a widespread or growing problem, such as an economic downturn, environmental degradation, or a social issue.