glued to the screen
/ɡluːd tə ðə skriːn/
Meaning
This idiomatic expression describes someone who is looking at a phone, computer, television, or tablet with intense, uninterrupted focus. It implies that the person is so engrossed in what they are watching or playing that they are ignoring everything else around them. The tone can range from a neutral observation to a mildly critical comment about screen time.
Examples
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The kids have been glued to the screen playing video games all afternoon.
The kids have been glued to the screen playing video games all afternoon.
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Instead of talking to each other at dinner, everyone was glued to their screens.
Instead of talking to each other at dinner, everyone was glued to their screens.
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I was so glued to the screen watching the season finale that I didn't hear the doorbell.
I was so glued to the screen watching the season finale that I didn't hear the doorbell.
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It's not healthy to be glued to a screen for eight hours straight without taking a break.
It's not healthy to be glued to a screen for eight hours straight without taking a break.
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As soon as the notification went off, he was immediately glued to his screen again.
As soon as the notification went off, he was immediately glued to his screen again.
Common Mistakes
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✗ He was gluing to the screen during the match.
✓ He was glued to the screen during the match.
This idiom uses the past participle 'glued' as an adjective to describe a state of being. Do not use the active continuous form 'gluing'.
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✗ She is always glued on her phone screen.
✓ She is always glued to her phone screen.
The correct preposition to use with 'glued' in this idiom is always 'to', not 'on' or 'at'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Lately, my teenager is constantly ___ playing that new online game.
💡 Staring intensely at a monitor or display without stopping.
Show answer
glued to the screen
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During the election night coverage, the entire country was ___.
💡 Watching the television or monitor with absolute focus.
Show answer
glued to the screen