Such cheek

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Such cheek" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express surprise or disapproval at someone's audacity or impudence. An example would be: "He had the nerve to ask for a raise after being late every day—such cheek!" Alternative expressions include "What gall" and "Such audacity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Such cheek might be too much for many companies, but it helps underscore that creative branding and beautiful design, while a modest component of client service, are essential all the same.

Huffington Post

Any actual substance is as elusive as the count's reflection, but it's all delivered with such cheek and charm that you'd have to be undead to resist.

The Times

Perhaps that is a bit cheeky, but it was precisely such cheek that propelled these Icelandic firms to the world stage in the first place.

The Economist

Columnists and bloggers even call for army bosses to fall on their swagger sticks.Ashfaq Kayani, the now sullen-faced head of the armed forces, and his more exposed underling, Ahmad Shuja Pasha, who runs the main military spy outfit, the Inter-Services Intelligence directorate (ISI), are unused to such cheek.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But to make the claim of cost savings with such barefaced cheek after such eye-watering price rises - that really takes something.

The Guardian

Barring activists such as Cheek violates Olympic ideals of internationalism and freedom of expression, said Phelim Kine, Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch.

The New York Times - Sports

The lateral flow immunoassay provides a simple, accurate and reproducible method to quantify frataxin protein in whole cell and tissue extracts, including primary samples obtained by non-invasive means, such as cheek swabs and whole blood.

Molecular Genetics and Metabolism

With its emphasis on politics and conflict rather than gender, Julius Caesar is a good place to start, but the job won't be finished until all-female Shakespeare has as much a place in our theatre culture as classic all-male productions such as Cheek by Jowl's legendary As You Like It.

The Guardian

In his introduction, Wark says "The Beach Beneath the Street claims no originality whatsoever", but that's already a fib, for while the story of the Situationists has been told many times already (best other example: Greil Marcus's Lipstick Traces), none has been written with such verve, cheek and insight (possible exception: Marcus's Lipstick Traces).

The Guardian - Books

Since 2000 the number of invasive cosmetic surgical procedures, such as cheek implants, chin augmentations and forehead lifts, is down 3%; meanwhile, the number of minimally or noninvasive procedures hyaluronic acid treatments (that would be for wrinkles), laser skin-resurfacing and hair removal leapt 81%.

Forbes

"Such a cheek".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In British English, the phrase often carries a lighter, almost admiring tone regarding someone's bravery, whereas in American English it may sound more formal or archaic.

Common error

Avoid using "Such cheek" in scientific or medical writing when you actually mean anatomical features like "cheek fat" or "cheek implants". Using the idiomatic form in a technical context can lead to unintentional humor or lack of clarity.

Linguistic Context

In the context of the examples provided by Ludwig, "Such cheek" functions primarily as an exclamatory noun phrase. It serves to label a specific behavior as impudent or audacious. The word "such" acts as a predeterminer that intensifies the noun "cheek", which in this idiomatic sense refers to impudence or impertinence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically standard and widely used in editorial writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Such cheek" is a versatile expression in English that functions both as a sharp idiom and a literal anatomical description. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and effective way to signal disapproval of someone's audacity. While high-authority news outlets like The Economist and The Guardian use it to add color to political or social commentary, scientific publications utilize the literal sense in facial research. When using it idiomatically, ensure your audience understands the tone of surprise or indignation. For those seeking more modern alternatives, phrases like "What nerve" are equally effective. Ultimately, "Such cheek" remains a powerful linguistic tool for characterizing bold behavior in a concise and impactful manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What a cheek

Uses the indefinite article which is a more common variant in British English

What gall

Stronger emphasis on the bitterness or deep resentment caused by the audacity

What nerve

A slightly more modern and common way to express the same impudence

Such audacity

Increases the level of formality and seriousness of the accusation

What impudence

Leans toward a more formal or literary register

Such effrontery

A very formal alternative typically used in sophisticated writing

Such insolence

Implies a lack of respect specifically toward a superior or authority figure

What brass

Colloquial and slightly dated alternative for bold behavior

So bold

Shifts the focus from the act itself to the character of the person

Quite cheeky

Adjusts the phrase to an adjective form which feels more descriptive and less exclamatory

FAQs

How do I use "Such cheek" in a sentence?

You can use it as a reactive exclamation like, "He didn't even apologize for being late—"Such cheek"!" or as a subject in a descriptive sentence such as, "It was precisely "Such cheek" that propelled the startup to success."

What is the difference between "Such cheek" and "What a cheek"?

Both phrases are essentially synonymous. "What a cheek" is slightly more common in everyday British conversation, while "Such cheek" is often found in journalistic or literary contexts to emphasize a specific instance of audacity.

What can I say instead of "Such cheek"?

Depending on the intensity you wish to convey, you could use "What nerve", "Such audacity", or the more informal "What gall".

Is "Such cheek" a formal expression?

It is generally considered neutral to informal. While it appears frequently in publications like The Economist or The Guardian, it is an idiomatic expression that might be too subjective for highly formal academic papers unless it is part of a direct quote or a specific characterization.