stuck shut

USAGE SUMMARY

'stuck shut' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is sealed tightly and does not open easily. For example: "The window had been painted shut and it was now stuck shut."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Her big bony nose sticking up, her flesh fallen away, her eyes stuck shut.

The New Yorker

When I visited, in September, one of the gates was broken: stuck shut.

The New Yorker

His front door was stuck shut, and his taxi driver helped him pry it open.

The New York Times

One of the films is "The Music Box," directed by the siblings Jennifer Oxley and Nicholas Oxley, about a little girl who devises an unusual way to open an antique box that's stuck shut.

The New York Times - Arts

Maybe taunting those tigers at the zoo had less to do with his demise than the TV-dinner billionaires want us to think.... Being unlovable: How am I supposed to let someone into my life when high-fructose corn syrup has the door to my heart stuck shut?

The New Yorker

The witness, Patrick Castro, 24, told a Queens jury of waking up in a walk-in refrigerator, his head covered in a plastic garbage bag, his eyes and mouth stuck shut with duct tape and his wrists bound tightly together behind his back, to find himself surrounded by bodies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Even now, there are fabrics that stick shut by themselves".

The New Yorker

Everyone feared -- still fears -- that if their gate valves were closed so the huge pipes could be inspected, they might stick shut, drying up the city.

The New York Times

I got a lot of stick, like "shut up, you Brit" and I felt like an outsider from very early on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you have to stick up for a friend or can't bear to keep your mouth shut, stick to stuff that will keep you out of trouble, like, "Just leave us alone", or "You can't talk".

WikiHow

Long stick midfielder Greg Danseglio shut out Casey Rees, Navy's leading goal scorer.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stuck shut" to vividly describe a physical barrier that is difficult or impossible to open. It's particularly effective when implying a frustrating or unexpected situation.

Common error

Avoid using "stuck shut" metaphorically when describing emotional or mental states. While creative, it can often sound awkward or cliché. Consider alternatives like "closed off" or "unresponsive" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stuck shut" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the state of something being closed and unable to be opened easily. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stuck shut" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is closed and difficult or impossible to open. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely accepted in written English. Its primary function is descriptive, often conveying a sense of frustration or unexpected obstruction. While generally neutral in register, it's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When using "stuck shut", it's best to apply it to physical objects and avoid overuse in abstract or metaphorical contexts where more precise alternatives may be more appropriate. Remember that while technically correct, using alternatives such as "firmly closed" or "tightly sealed" may improve your writing in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

firmly closed

Emphasizes the strength and security of the closure.

tightly sealed

Focuses on the impermeability of the closure, preventing anything from passing through.

sealed tightly

Similar to tightly sealed, emphasizing impermeability.

jammed closed

Highlights the obstruction or impediment causing the closure.

closed fast

Emphasizes the speed and security of the closure.

immovable

Indicates the inability to move or open the object.

unopenable

Directly states that the object cannot be opened.

unable to open

A simple statement of the inability to open something.

fastened securely

Implies a deliberate and robust method of keeping something closed.

locked tight

Suggests the use of a lock to keep something closed.

FAQs

How can I use "stuck shut" in a sentence?

You can use "stuck shut" to describe something that is closed and difficult or impossible to open, such as "The old window was painted over and now it's "stuck shut"".

What's a more formal way to say "stuck shut"?

For more formal writing, consider using phrases like "firmly closed" or "tightly sealed", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "stick shut" instead of "stuck shut"?

While "stick shut" might be understood, ""stuck shut"" is the more common and grammatically correct phrasing to describe something that is immovably closed.

Can "stuck shut" be used metaphorically?

While primarily used for physical objects, ""stuck shut"" can be used metaphorically, though sparingly, to describe something that is resistant or blocked. However, be mindful of potential clichés and consider more precise alternatives like "closed off" in emotional contexts.