surging tide

USAGE SUMMARY

"surging tide" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to a rising tide or wave, and is most often used metaphorically to refer to an increase in energy or emotion. For example: "The surging tide of enthusiasm in the room was palpable as the speaker addressed the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It is the inevitable surging tide of youth.

The New York Times - Sports

They eschewed extra guards and metal detectors in hotel lobbies and waded into the surging tide of reporters.

The New York Times

Criticism Rolls In So far, however, criticism has come like a surging tide, and race officials are doing all they can to corral the unflattering reviews.

The New York Times - Sports

The ground was invisible in a sleek brown surging tide; it was like being drowned in locusts, submerged by the loathsome brown flood.

The New Yorker

We walked to where a deep cut ran against a shallow sand bar forming a surging tide rip, and immediately began casting big wooden plugs.

The New York Times - Sports

Swirls, dabs, hyphens and speeding vectors: the electrifying brushmarks seem to channel the flow of his sensations in a surging tide.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

What followed were surging tides of accusations and recriminations, romantic overtures and hesitant withdrawals, heated rejections and a feverish, graphic recollection of a physical liaison.

The New York Times

The New York climate is tough on buildings, he says, and it gets more punishing the higher up you go... Cities rise in great, ragged waves — in surging tides of prosperity and sudden swells of speculation — and they tend to fall in waves.

The New Yorker

But before it was anything shaped by humans, that ground was the kind of natural place that, this week showed, we urgently need: salt marsh, a living bumper that would protect the lands behind it by absorbing the force of surging tides.

The New York Times

Because of the secrecy constraints, the lawyers argued in a letter to the commission dated Dec. 8, there could never be a full public airing of how the $700 million plant, which would be 1,200 feet long and 180 feet wide, would be designed to withstand hurricanes, surging tides, accidents or attacks.

The New York Times

When superstorm Sandy was rampaging across the Caribbean and mid-Atlantic, heralded by gale force winds, torrential rain and surging tides, people rushed to get out of its way.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "surging tide": it suggests power, inevitability, and sometimes danger. Ensure these align with your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "surging tide" when simpler terms like "high tide" or "rising water" suffice. Opt for it when emphasizing the intensity or impact of the tide.

Linguistic Context

Noun phrase acting as a subject or object. "Surging tide" functions to describe a specific type of tidal movement or, metaphorically, a powerful, growing force. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is used to depict an increasing and often overwhelming phenomenon.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surging tide" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that vividly depicts an increasing force, whether literal or metaphorical. Ludwig AI confirms its aptness across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science. While "surging tide" suggests power and inevitability, it's crucial to consider context to avoid overuse in simple descriptive scenarios. Alternatives such as "rising flood" or "growing momentum" can offer more precise nuances. Overall, "surging tide" remains a potent and versatile phrase for emphasizing escalating situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rising flood

Emphasizes the overwhelming and destructive potential, focusing on the water's ascent.

increasing wave

Highlights the growing strength and momentum, referencing the ocean's motion.

growing momentum

Shifts focus to the increasing force behind an event or movement.

mounting pressure

Conveys a sense of building tension or strain.

escalating crisis

Indicates a rapidly worsening situation.

swelling ranks

Refers to the increasing numbers of people in a group or movement.

burgeoning trend

Focuses on a trend that is rapidly developing and becoming more popular.

intensifying force

Highlights the increasing strength of a particular force or influence.

advancing wave

Describes the forward movement and progression of a wave or trend.

upswing

Refers to a general increase or improvement in a particular area.

FAQs

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

You can use "surging tide" to describe a literal rising tide, as in "The storm caused a "surging tide" that flooded the coastal areas." It can also be used metaphorically, such as "There was a "surging tide" of support for the new policy".

What's the difference between "rising tide" and "surging tide"?

"Rising tide" generally refers to the normal increase in water level during the tidal cycle. "Surging tide", on the other hand, implies a more forceful, rapid, and potentially dangerous increase in water level, often associated with storms or other extreme weather events.

What can I say instead of "surging tide"?

Alternatives include "rising flood", "increasing wave", or "growing momentum", depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

Is "surging tide" formal or informal language?

"Surging tide" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's appropriate for news reports, scientific articles, and general conversation, depending on the subject matter and desired level of emphasis.