take the temperature

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take the temperature" is a common and correct expression in written English.
It means to assess or evaluate a situation or someone's feelings. Example: "Before making any decisions, the manager took the temperature of the office to see how the employees were feeling about the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And it's a good place to take the temperature".

The New Yorker

I'm constantly trying to take the temperature of pop culture.

The New York Times

Members of the MPC go on regular regional visits to take the temperature of the economy.

The Guardian - Business

In short, the Internet allows us to take the temperature of society as never before.

The New York Times

Bumper stickers are one way to take the temperature of a culture war.

The Guardian - Travel

You could always take the temperature of our team through him".

The New York Times - Sports

They come to see and be seen and to take the temperature of contemporary art today.

The New York Times - Arts

Simply put, good servers must be able to take the temperature of a table.

The New York Times

I want all of us — especially the judge — to take the temperature down a little".

The New York Times

John Mercado, a ninth grader doing chores, said: "We take the temperature of the water and clean up the trash.

The New York Times

At intervals, Lo emerges from the kitchen, head wrapped in a pink bandanna, to take the temperature of the room.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take the temperature" in your writing, consider the context. It's often used to describe assessing public opinion, market trends, or the general atmosphere in a group or situation. Ensure that your sentence clearly indicates what is being assessed and why.

Common error

Avoid using "take the temperature" in contexts where a literal measurement of temperature is needed. This phrase is primarily figurative; use it when assessing intangible aspects like sentiment or opinion, not for measuring actual heat or cold.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take the temperature" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of assessing or evaluating a situation, feeling, or opinion. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples from varied sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

17%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take the temperature" is a common idiom used to describe assessing or evaluating a situation or sentiment, as highlighted by Ludwig. It's grammatically sound and versatile, fitting into neutral to formal contexts. Primarily found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science sources, its main purpose is to gather information to understand current conditions. To avoid misuse, remember that this phrase is figurative and should not be used for literal temperature measurements. When writing, be mindful of the context to ensure the idiom's effectiveness in conveying the intended assessment. The analysis from Ludwig AI confirms the idiom's widespread use and acceptance in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assess the situation

Focuses on evaluating the circumstances at hand.

gauge the mood

Emphasizes understanding the emotional state or atmosphere.

evaluate the climate

Highlights the overall conditions or prevailing attitudes.

read the room

Implies discerning the unspoken feelings or intentions of people present.

check the pulse

Suggests monitoring the current state or viability of something.

get a sense of

Indicates obtaining an intuitive understanding or impression.

determine the sentiment

Highlights identifying prevailing feelings or opinions.

ascertain the feeling

Focuses on finding out the general emotion.

monitor the environment

Focuses on supervising the surrounding conditions.

get an idea of

Indicates obtaining a preliminary understanding or concept.

FAQs

How can I use "take the temperature" in a sentence?

You can use "take the temperature" to describe assessing or evaluating a situation or sentiment. For example, "The politician wanted to "take the temperature" of public opinion before announcing the new policy."

What can I say instead of "take the temperature"?

Alternatives include "assess the situation", "gauge the mood", or "evaluate the climate", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "take the temperature" in formal writing?

While "take the temperature" is more common in news and media, it can be used in formal writing if the context is appropriate. Consider whether a more precise or formal alternative like "assess" or "evaluate" might be more suitable.

What does "take the temperature" mean in a business context?

In a business context, "take the temperature" often refers to assessing market trends, employee morale, or the overall health of a project or company. It's about gauging current conditions to make informed decisions.