things will look up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things will look up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express optimism or hope that a situation will improve in the future. Example: "After a tough few months, I'm confident that things will look up for us soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Never mind, next week Andy's back, and things will look up again, and I'll escape for a few days with the family.

Independent

It has been a miserable excuse for ancient, stomach-churning antipathy so far, but maybe things will look up now that an insouciant English rabble-rouser has stepped out of the pages of Evelyn Waugh and P.G.

Independent

And it was clear from their marathon testimony that the Iraqi politicians are useless, that we're going to have a huge number of troops in Iraq for a long time, that there's no post-Surge strategy, that they're just playing for time, hoping that somehow, some way, things will look up in the desert maze of demons that General Petraeus referred to as "home".

The New York Times

Her argument rests, in part, on the claim that the phenomenology of a conscious thought such as "things will look up"—does not indicate whether this is the content of a judgment or, instead, of a wish.

SEP

"It's a place that has so much resilience and has been through economic hardship, so I know things will look up again really soon".

Vice

I guess writing it all down and analyzing it gives me hope that this year will end on a high note, or at least things will look up next year.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"If you are an amazing athlete and an amazing person and you can do unbelievable things through your sport, anyone will look up to you.

The New York Times - Sports

As the country copes with the floods and starts repairs and thinks about making things safer for the next one, people will look up at the skies and want certainty about whether wild winters will become normal.

BBC

Others will look up to you for your vast knowledge of all things interesting.

WikiHow

If it shrivels, things will look different.

The Economist

"Some things will look familiar," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things will look up" to offer encouragement when someone is facing difficulties, suggesting that their situation is likely to improve in the future.

Common error

While "things will look up" is perfectly acceptable in many situations, it can sound too informal in professional or academic writing. Consider using a more formal alternative like "the situation is expected to improve" or "the outlook is promising" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things will look up" functions as an idiomatic expression used to offer encouragement and express optimism about a future situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "things will look up" is an idiomatic expression used to express hope and optimism that a situation will improve. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While the phrase is most commonly found in news and media, as well as informal contexts, it can be used in various situations to offer encouragement. If a more formal tone is required, alternatives such as "things will improve" or "the situation will get better" might be more appropriate. Remember to consider your audience and the context when using this phrase to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things will improve

Focuses on the general idea of improvement without specifying the visual aspect.

the situation will get better

Emphasizes the overall condition getting more favorable.

brighter days are ahead

Uses a metaphor to suggest a more positive future.

the tide will turn

Suggests a reversal of fortune or circumstances.

a change for the better is coming

Highlights the anticipation of a positive shift.

the outlook will improve

Focuses on a more optimistic perspective in the future.

we'll get through this

Emphasizes resilience and overcoming difficulties.

better times are coming

Similar to "brighter days", but uses a more general term.

the future holds promise

Highlights the potential for positive developments.

fortune will smile upon us

Uses a personification of fortune to express hope.

FAQs

What does "things will look up" mean?

The phrase "things will look up" means that a situation is expected to improve or become more positive in the future. It's a way of expressing hope and encouragement.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "things will look up"?

It's appropriate to use "things will look up" in informal and semi-formal contexts when offering encouragement or expressing optimism. It might not be suitable for formal academic or professional writing.

Are there any alternatives to saying "things will look up"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "things will improve", "the situation will get better", or "brighter days are ahead" depending on the context.

Is "things will look up" grammatically correct?

Yes, "things will look up" is grammatically correct and a commonly used idiom in English to express the belief that a situation will improve.