to be unleashed

USAGE SUMMARY

'to be unleashed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something powerful that has been restrained and is now being released. For example: "The crowd roared as the caged tiger was finally unleashed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They need to be unleashed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gordon Brown needs to be unleashed.

The Guardian

"Big things are about to be unleashed.

The Guardian

His second, Spectre, is about to be unleashed.

Independent

A new vigour is waiting to be unleashed.

The Economist

Ambassadors are also to be unleashed on the blogosphere.

The Guardian

Fallon pauses, but a torrent is about to be unleashed.

The Guardian - Sport

There's simply enormous power that's about to be unleashed.

The Guardian - Tech

The unspoken prospect was that far worse was about to be unleashed.

The New York Times

He had faith in me; he made me feel like I had potential to be unleashed.

Independent

But his music was something else altogether, throbbing and growling, to be unleashed.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be unleashed" when you want to convey the idea of something powerful being released after a period of restraint or suppression. This phrase adds a sense of drama and potential impact.

Common error

Avoid using "to be unleashed" for trivial events or situations. This phrase is most effective when describing something significant or impactful. Using it too often can diminish its effect and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be unleashed" functions as a passive infinitive, often used to describe something that is on the cusp of being released or activated, typically with a connotation of power or force. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Wiki

3%

Huffington Post

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be unleashed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a passive infinitive, typically used to create anticipation and emphasize the potential impact of something that is about to be released. While it appears in various contexts, its prevalence in News & Media suggests a neutral register. Related phrases like "to be released" or "to be activated" offer similar meanings but with varying degrees of emphasis on force or impact. When using "to be unleashed", it's best to reserve it for situations where you want to convey a sense of power, drama, and potential consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be unleashed upon

Specifies that something will be unleashed on a particular recipient or target.

to be unleashed against

Indicates something is being unleashed as an act of antagonism or conflict.

to be released

Focuses on the act of setting something free or making it available, without necessarily implying a forceful release.

to be unleashed on the world

Emphasizes the global scale or impact of something being unleashed.

to be activated

Emphasizes the initiation or triggering of something, often a process or system.

to be let loose

Similar to 'set loose', suggesting a lack of control or restraint once released.

to be set loose

Implies freeing something from confinement, often with a sense of potential chaos.

to be set in motion

Focuses on initiating a process or chain of events.

to be brought to bear

Highlights the application of force or influence towards a specific outcome.

to be given free rein

Suggests granting complete freedom or autonomy to something or someone.

FAQs

How can I use "to be unleashed" in a sentence?

You can use "to be unleashed" to describe something powerful that is about to be released or activated. For example, "The new marketing campaign is about to be unleashed", or "Her pent-up anger was about to be unleashed".

What are some alternatives to "to be unleashed"?

Some alternatives include "to be released", "to be activated", or "to be let loose". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "to be unleashed" or "to be released"?

"To be unleashed" implies a greater sense of power and potential impact than "to be released". Use "to be unleashed" when you want to emphasize the forceful or dramatic nature of the release.

What does it mean when something is described as 'about to be unleashed'?

When something is described as 'about to be unleashed', it means that it's on the verge of being released or activated, and there's an anticipation of significant or powerful consequences. For example, 'a wave of innovation is about to be unleashed'.