took some magic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took some magic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is describing an experience or action that involved a sense of wonder or enchantment, often metaphorically. Example: "As she walked through the enchanted forest, she felt like she took some magic with her, leaving her worries behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It took some magic.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

His team-mate Iker Muniain jokes: "Aduriz must take some magic potion or something".

The Guardian - Sport

What used to take some magic and pizzazz, some dreams of a better future, is now just keeping up appearances.

The Guardian - Opinion

It would take some magic, which is just what IBM has unleashed with its new ad campaign.

Forbes

Perhaps it took some of the magic of Peanuts away to know that behind the carefully honed facade of midwestern niceness, Schulz was as flaky and temperamental an artist as any, an angry depressive in a bad marriage who sent his 25-year-old mistress Tracey Claudius love letters filled with cartoons.

The Guardian - Books

"I think digital takes some of the magic out of photography".

The New York Times

This research takes some of the magic out of great achievement.

The New York Times

I think that makes us close, but facing up to that fear also takes some of the magic out of things, for the time being anyway.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Carreras's encore, "Some Enchanted Evening," seemed to take some of the magic from the occasion, but that was only momentary, as was the entire attempt to wake up Angkor Wat.

The New York Times

Surfers must rise early in the morning (when the waves tend to be best) or risk losing the right to gloat to others about how they should have been here earlier.Like any pursuit that relies on an ephemeral conjunction of conditions, information technology has taken some of the magic away.

The Economist

Likewise it takes some of the magic out too.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "required a miracle" or "demanded something special" to add stronger emotion to your statements.

Common error

Avoid using "took some magic" to describe ordinary tasks or everyday occurrences. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the outcome is genuinely surprising or remarkable; otherwise, it can sound hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took some magic" functions as an idiomatic expression. It describes a situation where an unexpected element of luck, skill, or extraordinary circumstances contributed to a positive outcome. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase often highlights the surprising or improbable nature of the event.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took some magic" is a valid idiomatic expression used to highlight the extraordinary or unexpected nature of an event. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and most commonly found in News & Media contexts. The phrase suggests that a positive outcome involved a degree of wonder, luck, or special circumstances. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in mundane situations to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "required a miracle" for stronger emphasis, and be mindful of the neutral register, which makes it suitable for professional yet engaging communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Required a miracle

Emphasizes the need for an almost impossible event to succeed.

Demanded something special

Highlights the necessity of a unique or exceptional element.

Needed a touch of enchantment

Focuses on the need for something delightful and charming.

Called for extraordinary measures

Stresses the need for actions beyond the ordinary.

Involved an element of wonder

Highlights the presence of awe-inspiring component.

Needed a spark of brilliance

Emphasizes the necessity of cleverness and insight.

Required a dose of fantasy

Stresses a need for a creative or imaginative element.

Demanded a unique solution

Focuses on the need for an original answer or approach.

Needed more than ordinary effort

Highlights that the task needed more than what's usual.

Required divine intervention

Emphasizes the need for assistance from a higher power.

FAQs

How can I use "took some magic" in a sentence?

You can use "took some magic" to describe a situation where something extraordinary or unexpected was needed for a positive outcome. For instance, "It took some magic for the team to win after being down by 20 points."

What's a good alternative to "took some magic"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "required a miracle", "demanded something special", or "needed a touch of enchantment".

Is "took some magic" formal or informal?

"Took some magic" leans towards informal usage, best suited for conversational or narrative contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "required extraordinary measures".

When is it appropriate to use "took some magic"?

It is appropriate when describing a situation where the achievement of a goal or resolution of a problem seemed almost impossible and involved an element of wonder or unexpected good fortune.