trouble brewing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trouble brewing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a problem or conflict is developing or likely to occur. Example: "There seems to be trouble brewing between the two departments, and we need to address it before it escalates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But others see trouble brewing.

The New York Times

But there was trouble brewing.

The Guardian

Not here.' " There's other trouble brewing.

The New Yorker

And there is more trouble brewing.

The Guardian

Stock market investors see trouble brewing.

The New York Times

Yet there were indications in recent months of trouble brewing.

The New York Times

Or the fact that there is trouble brewing.

The Guardian - Sport

There was the smell in the air of trouble brewing.

The Guardian - Arts

Even before Mr. Big signed a contract, Ms. Yang sensed trouble brewing.

The New York Times

But after spotting trouble brewing online, the company offered discounts and credits to the affected fans.

The New York Times - Tech

The new owner, John Ryland, left the cone-shaped mausoleum and the printer's vertical body undisturbed, but there was terrible trouble brewing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trouble brewing" to subtly hint at potential problems without explicitly stating them, especially when the situation is still uncertain.

Common error

Avoid using "trouble brewing" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound cliché and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trouble brewing" functions as an idiomatic expression, acting as a noun phrase that signifies the development of potential problems or conflicts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a commonly used phrase. Examples show it setting a tone of impending issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trouble brewing" is a widely recognized idiom used to indicate the development of potential problems or conflicts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves as a neutral yet effective way to subtly suggest impending difficulties. While highly common, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid cliché. Alternatives such as "problems arising" or "conflict looming" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

problems arising

Focuses on the emergence of issues, less idiomatic than "trouble brewing".

conflict looming

Highlights impending conflict, more direct and less subtle than "trouble brewing".

difficulties developing

Emphasizes the gradual development of difficulties, less immediate than "trouble brewing".

storm clouds gathering

Uses a weather metaphor to suggest an approaching crisis, more dramatic than "trouble brewing".

unease spreading

Focuses on the feeling of unease, rather than specific problems, more subtle than "trouble brewing".

tensions escalating

Highlights the increase in tension, more specific about the nature of the problem than "trouble brewing".

issues emerging

Describes the surfacing of issues, broader and less specific than "trouble brewing".

a crisis developing

Emphasizes the development of a crisis, focusing on a critical situation, more severe than "trouble brewing".

discordant murmurings

Indicates underlying disagreements, more subtle and less direct than "trouble brewing".

unrest surfacing

Suggests the beginning of public unrest, more focused on public sentiment than "trouble brewing".

FAQs

What does the idiom "trouble brewing" mean?

The idiom "trouble brewing" means that there are signs or indications that problems or difficulties are developing or are likely to occur soon.

What are some synonyms for "trouble brewing"?

Alternatives to "trouble brewing" include phrases like "problems arising", "conflict looming", or "difficulties developing", depending on the specific context.

How can I use "trouble brewing" in a sentence?

You can use "trouble brewing" in a sentence to suggest that a problematic situation is starting to emerge. For example, "There seems to be trouble brewing between the two departments."

Is "trouble brewing" formal or informal?

"Trouble brewing" is generally considered a neutral idiom, suitable for both informal and moderately formal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, it might be better to use a more direct or specific phrase.