was grilled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was grilled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone was questioned intensely or critically, often in a formal or serious context. Example: "During the meeting, the CEO was grilled by the board members about the company's financial performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was grilled like a suspect.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then he was grilled about his links to insurgent gangs.

The Guardian

(The mâitre d' insisted it was grilled, not burned).

The New York Times

We ordered thinly sliced rib-eye steak, which was grilled with scallions, onions and peppers.

The New York Times

See articleTim Geithner was grilled in Congress over the rescue of American International Group in 2008.

The Economist

When Alger Hiss was grilled, the congressmen bore down on the period betw.

The New Yorker

In October he was grilled, uncharacteristically fiercely, by opposition politicians in Mexico city's legislature.

The Economist

Most of the meat was grilled, but some fried, in deference to local tastes.

The Economist

He also claims Kliman got food preparation wrong (branzino was grilled, not roasted; pancetta isn't smoky).

The Washington Post

Last month Mary Barra, GM's chief executive, was grilled by Congress over the recalls.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

On another visit it was grilled cuttlefish, which the waitress had told us would be grilled squid.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was grilled" to convey a sense of intense, often uncomfortable, questioning. It's appropriate when the subject is facing tough inquiries under pressure.

Common error

Avoid using "was grilled" in overly casual situations. While effective for serious interrogations, it can sound melodramatic if used to describe everyday questioning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was grilled" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of being intensely questioned. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples where individuals or entities face rigorous interrogation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Reference

1%

Science

0%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was grilled" is a common and correct passive verb phrase used to describe a situation where someone faced intense, critical questioning. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its prevalence in news and media, with neutral register. When writing, use it to accurately depict situations of rigorous interrogation, but avoid overuse in informal contexts. Alternatives include "was interrogated" or "was questioned intensely". "Was grilled" is a valuable tool for conveying specific nuances of intense questioning in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was interrogated

Replaces "grilled" with a more formal term for questioning.

was questioned intensely

Emphasizes the high level of scrutiny in the questioning.

was cross-examined

Implies a formal and potentially adversarial questioning process.

faced tough questions

Highlights the challenging nature of the questions asked.

underwent rigorous questioning

Focuses on the thoroughness and intensity of the questioning process.

was put through the wringer

Uses an idiom to describe a difficult and stressful questioning.

was subjected to scrutiny

Shifts the focus to the critical examination rather than direct questioning.

was given a hard time

An informal way of saying someone was questioned aggressively.

had to answer difficult inquiries

Focuses on the challenge posed by the questions.

was closely questioned

Emphasizes the close attention and detail involved in the questioning.

FAQs

How can I use "was grilled" in a sentence?

You can use "was grilled" to indicate someone faced intense questioning. For example: "The witness "was grilled" by the prosecution."

What's a more formal alternative to "was grilled"?

A more formal alternative to "was grilled" is "was interrogated", which suggests a structured and official questioning process.

Is it appropriate to use "was grilled" in business writing?

Yes, "was grilled" is appropriate in business writing when describing a situation where someone faced tough questioning, such as in a congressional hearing or an internal investigation. For example: "The CEO "was grilled" about the company's financial performance."

What's the difference between "was questioned" and "was grilled"?

"Was questioned" is a neutral term for asking questions, while "was grilled" implies more intense, critical, and potentially hostile questioning.