a big outlay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big outlay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant expenditure or investment, often in a financial context. Example: "The company made a big outlay on new equipment to improve production efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It involves a big outlay to bring the talent and all the back-up people.

The New York Times - Arts

You need a big glove, that would be a big outlay as a kid.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It was going to be a big outlay, considering the few men we were up against," Eriksson said.

The New Yorker

Spending on health, welfare and education is further constrained by a big outlay on defence, which accounts for nearly 20% of the 2011-12 budgexpenditureure, compared with less than 8% for education.Some analysts worry that the fiscal deficit is about to take a dire toll on Pakistan's external accounts.

The Economist

That is a big outlay during the downturn - even if businesses can reduce travel expenses over time.

BBC

"It's a big outlay in cost to travel to a tournament that doesn't really constitute a tournament and it was clear it wasn't worthwhile," head coach Adam Farish told BBC Guernsey.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

That meant, last year, Laura Marling, Beirut and Mogwai, and a bigger outlay on fees, though the mid-five-figure sums he says he spends pale in comparison to rates commanded by headliners at the biggest events.

The Guardian - Music

It's a big financial outlay for her, so today she is cooking only goat stew, millet bread and beans.

The Guardian

It is hardly clear that even if AOL Europe does become profitable it will produce a return to justify such a big cash outlay and the indignities of the debt AOL Time Warner incurred to pay it.

The New York Times

It'll be a big cash outlay but you don't unseat a titan like Amazon on a shoestring budget.

TechCrunch

Update: I changed some language in the first paragraph to make it clearer that Facebook is saving itself from a big cash outlay rather than netting a cash windfall from the deal, as many people in comments rightly pointed out.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial investments or costs, use "a big outlay" to emphasize the substantial nature of the expenditure. It's particularly effective when contrasting it with smaller or more routine expenses.

Common error

Avoid using "a big outlay" when you actually mean to describe a significant positive result or outcome. "Outlay" refers to the expenditure itself, not the return on investment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big outlay" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it correctly describes a significant expenditure. It often quantifies and emphasizes the size of an investment or expense.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big outlay" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant expenditure, often in financial contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness. While not exceedingly common, it's frequently found in news and media reporting on business, economics, and government spending. When writing, remember that "outlay" refers to the expenditure itself, not the resulting benefits. Consider using alternative phrases like ""substantial investment"" or ""large expenditure"" for variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial outlay

Replaces 'big' with 'substantial', indicating a considerable amount of money.

a significant investment

Substitutes 'outlay' with 'investment', focusing on the purpose of the expenditure.

a considerable expense

Uses 'expense' instead of 'outlay', highlighting the cost aspect.

a large expenditure

Replaces 'big outlay' with the more formal 'large expenditure'.

a hefty investment

Uses 'hefty' to emphasize the considerable size of the investment.

a major expense

Emphasizes the significance of the expense.

a sizable investment

Synonymous replacement of the original phrase, uses 'sizable' to indicate a notable amount.

a massive expense

Replaces "big" with "massive" to emphasize the large scale of the expense.

a considerable financial commitment

This alternative emphasizes the financial obligation involved.

a large cash injection

Focuses on the aspect of injecting cash, typically into a business or project.

FAQs

How can I use "a big outlay" in a sentence?

You can use "a big outlay" to describe a significant expenditure, such as "The company faced "a big outlay" when purchasing new equipment".

What are some alternatives to saying "a big outlay"?

Alternatives include "substantial investment", "significant expense", or "large expenditure" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a big outlay" or "a large outlay"?

Both "a big outlay" and "a large outlay" are acceptable, but "large outlay" may sound slightly more formal. The choice depends on the tone you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a big outlay" and "a big investment"?

"A big outlay" refers specifically to the act of spending a significant amount of money. "A big investment" implies that the money is being spent with the expectation of future returns or benefits.