things stacked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things stacked up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where multiple issues, tasks, or problems have accumulated over time, often leading to a sense of overwhelm. Example: "With deadlines approaching and unexpected challenges arising, I feel like things are really stacked up on my plate right now."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But, in the nineteen-fifties, people like Barzun and Trilling did worry about how things stacked up against Tolstoy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Despite their crucible-like region, the Jayhawks still get a vote of confidence from Stewart Mandel of SI.com, although Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com likes the way things stack up for Kentucky.

The New York Times

So all these things stack up to make it very, very difficult for someone who's just got out of prison to actually make any money -- quite simply, to actually get by".

Huffington Post

This would allow the people of Victoria to "make their own judgment about whether this thing stacks up".

The Guardian

So how does this thing stack up, spec-wise, to the iPod Touch?

TechCrunch

If your card's "corner condition" is in great shape, then it should keep its value, depending on the other things stacking up.

WikiHow

Mad Men, Breaking Bad, House of Cards, Downton Abbey, House of Cards II, these things are stacked up over Gotham in relentless fashion.

TechCrunch

-- and complains that things have stacked up in his rather brief absence because nothing can happen without his okay.

Huffington Post

In an environment that becomes more competitive year after year, we asked a sampling of colleges and universities for a sense of how things were stacking up.

The New York Times

"A lot of things are stacking up that under normal circumstances we would destroy and employees would want us to destroy," he said.

The New York Times

It's still only March, so this is hardly an indicator of how things will stack up for Facebook and Google for 2012's overall ranking.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "things stacked up", ensure the context clearly indicates what "things" refers to, providing specific examples for clarity. Avoid vagueness to enhance the sentence's informative value.

Common error

Avoid using "things stacked up" as a catch-all phrase without specifying what these "things" are. Being specific about the accumulating issues makes your writing more precise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things stacked up" functions as a descriptive expression, typically used to indicate that multiple issues, tasks, or problems have accumulated over time. Based on the examples Ludwig provides, this phrase is often used to convey a sense of being overwhelmed or facing increasing difficulty.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things stacked up" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the accumulation of tasks or problems. Ludwig AI indicates that it's often used to convey a sense of being overwhelmed. While this analysis suggests its use is generally neutral and widely applicable, the current data shows a limited number of exact examples. Therefore, being specific about what "things" refers to will always enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

problems piled up

Focuses specifically on the accumulation of difficulties or problems.

difficulties accumulated

Similar to "matters accumulated" but specifically refers to troublesome situations.

issues mounted

Highlights the increasing intensity or significance of problems.

challenges intensified

Emphasizes the increasing difficulty and complexity of problems.

matters accumulated

Emphasizes the gathering of issues or problems over time.

demands escalated

Focuses on the rising intensity and urgency of requests or expectations.

pressure built up

Shifts the focus to the feeling of stress caused by accumulating demands.

responsibilities increased

Highlights the growing burden of duties or obligations.

workload increased

Specifically refers to the growing amount of work needing to be done.

tasks accumulated

Specifically refers to an increasing number of assignments or duties.

FAQs

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

You can use "things stacked up" to describe a situation where multiple issues or tasks have accumulated. For example: "With deadlines approaching and unexpected challenges arising, I feel like things are really stacked up on my plate right now."

What are some alternatives to "things stacked up"?

Alternatives include "matters accumulated", "problems piled up", or "issues mounted", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "things are stacking up"?

Yes, "things are stacking up" is a grammatically correct and commonly used variation that emphasizes the ongoing accumulation of issues or tasks.

What's the difference between "things stacked up" and "pressure built up"?

"Things stacked up" generally refers to the accumulation of tasks or problems, while "pressure built up" focuses on the stress and tension resulting from these accumulated demands. The first describes a state, the second describes a feeling.