in the groove

Idioms  

1. Performing very well, excellent; also, in fashion, up-to-date. For example, The band was slowly getting in the groove, or To be in the groove this year you'll have to get a fake fur coat. This idiom originally alluded to running accurately in a channel, or groove. It was taken up by jazz musicians in the 1920s and later began to be used more loosely. A variant, back in the groove, means “returning to one's old self,” as in He was very ill but now he's back in the groove. [Slang; mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

Try to keep your email and messaging apps shut off until at least noon, so you get in the groove of your own work before checking for anything urgent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

"It's more just trying to get back in the groove," Tinch said.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

I was just trying to get back in the groove of Sabrina Claudio, quote-unquote, because I was just coming out of writing for everybody else.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2025

Aside from seasoned quarterback Matthew Stafford, they are a pretty young team and their offense has struggled at times to get in the groove.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2024

Finally, she must have thought I was in the groove.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

Related Words

• adaptable
• appropriate
• consistent
• suitable