things have gone downhill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things have gone downhill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that has worsened or deteriorated over time. Example: "Since the new management took over, things have gone downhill in the office, with morale and productivity dropping significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Since then, things have gone downhill.

The Economist

But things have gone downhill since then.

The Guardian

Things have gone downhill since then.

The New York Times

It's heartbreaking how quickly these things have gone downhill.

The Guardian - Sport

But since the problems with his benefit claim, he says, things have gone downhill drastically.

The Guardian

But things have gone downhill since John Rudgard left in 1998.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"What most surprised me was the speed with which things had gone downhill," says Lutz.

Forbes

Since that release, things had gone downhill.

Vice

The fabulous Jennifer Lawrence continues to do her damnedest to keep this long-running dystopian saga's head above water, but ever since story-planners bid a sad farewell to the terrifyingly bloodthirsty Arena in 2013's Catching Fire and began exploring the future dystopian nation of Panem in excruciatingly pointless detail, the whole thing has gone downhill.

The Guardian - Film

But things steadily have gone downhill since.

Huffington Post

Since the deal was completed in January, things have gone rapidly downhill for Lewis.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things have gone downhill" to describe a situation's overall decline, especially when multiple factors contribute to the worsening condition.

Common error

Avoid using "things have gone downhill" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary like "deteriorated" or "declined" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things have gone downhill" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the deterioration or decline of a situation, process, or condition. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts to express a negative change over time. It implies that circumstances were once better but have since worsened.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "things have gone downhill" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe a decline or deterioration in a situation. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "deteriorated" or "declined" in highly professional settings. The phrase conveys disappointment or concern about a negative trend and prompts consideration of its causes and consequences. Remember to use it appropriately, considering your audience and the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things have deteriorated

Replaces "gone downhill" with a more formal verb, "deteriorated".

things have declined

Substitutes "gone downhill" with "declined", indicating a gradual worsening.

the situation has worsened

Focuses on the "situation" as the subject that is getting worse.

matters have taken a turn for the worse

Uses a more dramatic expression to indicate a negative change.

things have taken a nosedive

Implies a rapid and significant decline, using a more informal and visual metaphor.

things have spiraled downward

Emphasizes a continuous and accelerating decline.

there's been a downturn

Introduces a noun form to describe the decline, suitable for business or economic contexts.

the quality has diminished

Focuses specifically on a decline in quality.

standards have slipped

Indicates a decline in standards or expectations.

things are not what they used to be

A more general expression of decline, often used nostalgically.

FAQs

How can I use "things have gone downhill" in a sentence?

You can use "things have gone downhill" to describe a decline or worsening of a situation over time. For example, "Since the new management took over, "things have gone downhill" at the office."

What's a more formal way to say "things have gone downhill"?

Alternatives to "things have gone downhill" in formal contexts include "things have deteriorated" or "things have declined".

Is "things have gone downhill" appropriate for business writing?

While understandable, "things have gone downhill" may be too informal for some business contexts. Consider using phrases like "performance has declined" or "the situation has worsened" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "things have gone downhill" and "things have taken a turn for the worse"?

"Things have gone downhill" suggests a gradual decline, while "things have taken a turn for the worse" implies a more sudden and significant downturn.