things turn ugly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things turn ugly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that becomes unpleasant or hostile, often unexpectedly. Example: "The discussion started off friendly, but as differing opinions emerged, things turned ugly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Around midnight things turn ugly.

The New York Times - Travel

But should the police arrive, or things turn ugly?

The Guardian

Photograph: David Levene 2.45pm GMT Just in case things turn ugly.

The Guardian

If things turn ugly in Ukraine there could be a large wave of refugees flooding into Poland, but that would not solve the problem.

The Economist

When the group get on the wrong side of local drug lord Hennessy Ronnie Foxx), things turn ugly and Danny quickly finds himself out of his depth.

Independent

Things turn ugly, however, when the upper middle class starts to rig markets in its own favor, to the detriment of others.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Then things turned ugly.

Independent

But things turned ugly when she visited this past spring.

The New Yorker

But things turned ugly as the game wore on.

The Guardian - Sport

White came in with the bases loaded, and things turned ugly in a hurry.

The New York Times - Sports

Things turned ugly, with some saying that this contributed to defective tires.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things turn ugly" when you want to emphasize a sudden and unpleasant change in a situation. It's often used to describe events that were previously neutral or positive.

Common error

Avoid using "things turn ugly" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "the situation deteriorated" or "circumstances worsened" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things turn ugly" functions as an idiom, typically serving as a concise way to indicate a negative shift in circumstances. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this idiom appears frequently in journalistic contexts to describe deteriorating situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things turn ugly" is a common idiom used to describe a situation that deteriorates and becomes unpleasant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to informal registers. For formal writing, alternatives like "the situation deteriorated" are more appropriate. Be mindful of context to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

situation deteriorates

Focuses on the worsening condition of a situation.

events take a turn for the worse

Emphasizes the negative change in the course of events.

things get out of hand

Highlights the loss of control over a situation.

circumstances become dire

Highlights the severity and urgency of the situation.

matters escalate negatively

Indicates an increase in intensity towards an unfavorable outcome.

trouble brews

Suggests the imminent arrival of problems or conflict.

a crisis unfolds

Describes the gradual revelation and development of a critical situation.

peace is shattered

Implies a disruption of tranquility and the start of conflict.

calm is disrupted

Focuses on the interruption of a peaceful state.

harmony dissolves

Indicates a breakdown of agreement and cooperation.

FAQs

What does "things turn ugly" mean?

The phrase "things turn ugly" means that a situation, event, or relationship has deteriorated and become unpleasant, hostile, or problematic.

What can I say instead of "things turn ugly"?

You can use alternatives such as "situation deteriorates", "events take a turn for the worse", or "circumstances become dire depending on the context.

Is "things turn ugly" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "things turn ugly" is generally considered informal. It's better to use phrases like "the situation deteriorated" or "matters escalated negatively" in formal contexts.

How to use "things turn ugly" in a sentence?

You can use "things turn ugly" to describe when a situation that was once neutral or positive becomes unpleasant or hostile. For example, "The discussion started off friendly, but as differing opinions emerged, things turned ugly."