stick-in-the-mud: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, mildly humorous, sometimes derogatory
Quick answer
What does “stick-in-the-mud” mean?
A person who is resistant to change, new ideas, or fun.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is resistant to change, new ideas, or fun; someone who is old-fashioned, dull, or overly cautious.
Someone who hinders progress or dampens enthusiasm by refusing to adapt or participate; a killjoy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in UK English, but fully understood and used in US English. In the UK, it often carries a stronger connotation of social stuffiness.
Connotations
UK: Often implies a lack of adventure, social conservatism, and a preference for routine. US: Slightly more focused on being a killjoy or impediment to fun/progress.
Frequency
Medium frequency in UK informal speech; low-to-medium in US informal speech.
Grammar
How to Use “stick-in-the-mud” in a Sentence
be a stick-in-the-mudcall someone a stick-in-the-mudstop being a stick-in-the-mudVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stick-in-the-mud” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You can't just stick-in-the-mud your way through this digital transformation.
adjective
British English
- He has a rather stick-in-the-mud attitude towards modern art.
American English
- Don't be so stick-in-the-mud about the new software.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used informally to describe colleagues resistant to new processes or technologies. e.g., 'The marketing director is a bit of a stick-in-the-mud about social media.'
Academic
Rare in formal writing; may appear in sociological texts discussing resistance to cultural change.
Everyday
Common in personal contexts to chide someone for not wanting to try something new or fun.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stick-in-the-mud”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stick-in-the-mud”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stick-in-the-mud”
- Using it as an adjective before a noun without hyphens (e.g., 'He is stick in the mud'). Correct: 'He is a stick-in-the-mud.'
- Confusing it with 'stickler' (a person who insists on rules).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is mildly derogatory but often used in a teasing, light-hearted way among friends or family. In professional settings, it can be perceived as dismissive.
The plural is 'sticks-in-the-mud'.
Very rarely and only in highly informal, creative contexts. It is not standard usage.
A 'killjoy' actively ruins other people's fun. A 'stick-in-the-mud' primarily resists change or new experiences themselves, which may indirectly dampen others' fun.
A person who is resistant to change, new ideas, or fun.
Stick-in-the-mud is usually informal, mildly humorous, sometimes derogatory in register.
Stick-in-the-mud: in British English it is pronounced /ˌstɪk ɪn ðə ˈmʌd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌstɪk ɪn ðə ˈmʌd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “set in one's ways”
- “old fogey”
- “behind the times”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person literally stuck in thick mud, refusing help to get out because 'the old way is fine.' This visualises their resistance to moving forward.
Conceptual Metaphor
LACK OF PROGRESS IS BEING STUCK; LACK OF ADAPTABILITY IS RIGIDITY; ENTHUSIASM IS MOVEMENT.
Practice
Quiz
In which situation is someone MOST likely to be called a 'stick-in-the-mud'?