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Meaning & use

state of flux

phrase·Advanced

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UK/ˌsteɪt əv ˈflʌks/
US/ˌsteɪt əv ˈflʌks/

Meaning

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    A situation that is changing often and is not yet settled or fixed.

    Grammar: Used after 'in': 'The market is in a state of flux.' It is not usually used with 'the' before 'state' when talking about a general situation.

    Patterns

    • be in a state of flux
    • remain in a state of flux
    • the industry is in a state of flux

    The company is in a state of flux after the sudden resignation of its chief executive.

    Rules about working from home are still in a state of flux.

    During the war, the whole region was in a state of flux.

Common combinations

in a state of flux
The team has been in a state of flux since the new manager arrived.
remain in a state of flux
Prices remained in a state of flux for several weeks.
a period of flux
The 1990s were a period of flux for the industry.
constant flux
Fashion is in constant flux.

Synonyms and how they differ

in transition
Suggests a movement from one clear state to another, while 'in a state of flux' stresses that things are unsettled and may keep changing.
unstable
Stronger and more negative; it can suggest danger or likely failure, whereas 'in a state of flux' is neutral.

Opposites

stablesettled

Word family

flux noun
A continuous series of changes; the short form used in 'in flux'.
fluctuate verb
To rise and fall or change repeatedly, often about prices or numbers.

Commonly confused: state of flux or in flux?

state of flux vs in flux

This shorter form means the same but is a little less formal; 'in a state of flux' adds emphasis.

Practice

The industry is still ___ after the new law was passed.

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