things looked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things looked up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a situation has improved or is becoming more positive. Example: "After months of struggling to find a job, things looked up when I received an offer from a great company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Things looked up after that.

The New York Times

Things looked up with the Ethiopian Shakisso.

The New York Times - Food

Things looked up the next day.

The New York Times - Travel

Things looked up after the fall of the Soviet regime.

The New York Times

Things looked up round the corner at the stunning Church of our Saviour on Spilled Blood.

The Guardian - Travel

"You were with me when things looked up, you were with me when things looked down," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Things look up.

The Guardian - Travel

Are things looking up at Canterbury?

Independent

Things look up in the second half.

The Guardian

Are things looking up for the independents?

The New York Times - Books

Are things looking up on the UK's high streets?

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things looked up" to succinctly describe a noticeable improvement in a situation, especially after a period of difficulty. It's suitable for both formal and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "things look up" when referring to a past event; use "things looked up". "Things look up" is appropriate for describing a present or future expectation of improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things looked up" functions as an idiom indicating that a situation has improved. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing examples where the phrase signifies a positive change after a period of difficulty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "things looked up" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to indicate an improvement in a situation. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples, primarily from news and media sources. While versatile, it's essential to use the past tense ("looked") when referring to past events. Related phrases include "the situation improved" and "the outlook brightened". This expression effectively conveys a sense of optimism and relief, highlighting a positive turn after a period of difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the situation improved

Focuses on the state of affairs becoming better.

circumstances improved

Emphasizes the betterment of external conditions.

things got better

A more informal way of expressing improvement.

a turn for the better occurred

Highlights a significant positive shift.

the outlook brightened

Focuses on the future becoming more promising.

there was an upswing

Indicates a positive trend or increase.

the tide turned

Suggests a reversal of fortune.

fortune smiled

Implies a positive outcome due to luck or chance.

the clouds parted

Metaphorically describes the removal of obstacles or difficulties.

relief came

Focuses on the alleviation of a difficult situation.

FAQs

How can I use "things looked up" in a sentence?

You can use "things looked up" to describe a past situation that improved. For example, "After the new management took over, "things looked up" for the company".

What's a more formal way to say "things looked up"?

A more formal way to say "things looked up" is "the situation improved" or "circumstances improved".

Which is correct, "things looked up" or "things look up" when referring to the past?

When referring to a situation that improved in the past, the correct phrase is ""things looked up"". "Things look up" is for present or future improvement.

What can I say instead of "things looked up"?

You can use alternatives like "the outlook brightened", "there was an upswing", or "the tide turned" depending on the context.