take extraordinary measures

USAGE SUMMARY

"take extraordinary measures" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It generally means to take extreme or unusual steps to address a problem or situation. Example: In response to the recent increase in crime, the government has decided to take extraordinary measures to improve public safety, including increased police presence and stricter laws.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Don't be afraid to take extraordinary measures.

The Guardian

We [would] take extraordinary measures to deal with that".

The Guardian - Business

To take extraordinary measures toward achieving maximum fuel efficiency in an automobile.

The New York Times

Other airlines have been allowed to take extraordinary measures to cope with their pension obligations.

The New York Times

Yet we take extraordinary measures, limiting people's personal freedoms, to prevent another act of terrorism on our soil.

The New York Times

Certainly, if you found an injured person on the trail, you'd take extraordinary measures to render aid.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

His Fed is committed, he said, to taking extraordinary measures until unemployment goes down.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ahmadinejad took extraordinary measures to confront Khamenei, including threatening to resign.

The Guardian

On Sunday, the doctors said the family had given them permission to cease taking extraordinary measures.

The New York Times

"Evil doesn't welcome the Thanksgiving or Christmas season, and in these extraordinary times, we're taking extraordinary measures".

The New York Times

Defending the actions of his administration, Mr. Bush said, "We have taken extraordinary measures because these are extraordinary circumstances".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take extraordinary measures" when you want to emphasize that the actions being implemented are not typical or routine, and are specifically designed to address a significant or unusual situation.

Common error

Avoid using "take extraordinary measures" in contexts where the actions being described are fairly standard or expected. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take extraordinary measures" functions as a verb phrase that describes the act of implementing unusual or extreme actions in response to a particular situation. Ludwig examples show its application across various contexts, from economic crises to health emergencies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take extraordinary measures" is a common expression used to describe actions that are not routine and are implemented to address a significant or critical situation. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for use in a variety of contexts, especially in news, business, and scientific writing. The phrase conveys a sense of urgency and seriousness, indicating that standard procedures are insufficient. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse to maintain its impact and avoid sounding hyperbolic. Alternatives like "adopt exceptional strategies" or "implement drastic steps" can be used for variety, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take unprecedented actions

Implies the actions are unique and have not been taken before, focusing on the novelty of the response.

adopt exceptional strategies

Replaces "measures" with "strategies" and "extraordinary" with "exceptional", focusing on planned actions.

implement drastic steps

Emphasizes the severity of the actions taken using "drastic" instead of "extraordinary" and "steps" instead of "measures".

resort to extreme actions

Highlights the urgency and potentially undesirable nature of the actions using "extreme" instead of "extraordinary".

undertake radical interventions

Suggests a more transformative approach using "radical interventions" instead of "extraordinary measures".

employ unconventional methods

Focuses on the novelty and originality of the approach, replacing "extraordinary" with "unconventional".

initiate special procedures

Emphasizes the formal and structured nature of the actions taken, making it suitable for regulated environments.

introduce novel approaches

Focuses on the innovative nature of the solutions, where "novel" replaces "extraordinary" to highlight originality.

apply exceptional remedies

Suggests actions aimed at fixing a problem or crisis, with "remedies" implying a corrective function.

enact emergency protocols

Implies a pre-defined set of actions triggered by a crisis, with a focus on immediate and standardized responses.

FAQs

How can I use "take extraordinary measures" in a sentence?

The phrase "take extraordinary measures" is used to describe actions that go beyond the normal or expected response to a situation. For example, "The company had to "take extraordinary measures" to avoid bankruptcy during the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "take extraordinary measures"?

You can use alternatives like "take drastic steps", "implement radical interventions", or "resort to extreme actions" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "take extraordinary measures"?

It's appropriate when the situation requires actions that are not part of the standard operating procedure and are significantly different or more intense than usual. It implies a sense of urgency or the severity of the circumstances demands exceptional responses.

What's the difference between "take special measures" and "take extraordinary measures"?

"Take special measures" implies actions that are tailored to a specific situation but not necessarily extreme. "Take extraordinary measures" indicates actions that are far beyond the norm and often involve significant resources or risks.