a big outrage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big outrage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or intense feeling of anger or indignation about a particular event or situation. Example: "The decision to cut funding for the arts sparked a big outrage among the community members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"There hasn't been a big outrage over the teams being moved," said Chris Oliver, editor of the South Bergenite, a weekly newspaper in neighboring Rutherford, "except some of the readers complaining about having to go to Newark".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Insurance executives in Germany are still negotiating with their government about setting up a pool for terrorist risk.In the end, says Walter Kielholz, chief executive of Swiss Re, governments will become the insurer of last resort, in the case of a big terrorist outrage, whether laws are in place or not.

The Economist

In the event of another big outrage, it would presumably step in, as it did briefly after last year's attacks.

The Economist

Mary Ann Sternberg Baton Rouge, La., May 5, 2008 • To the Editor: The suffering and death of immigrants in United States detention facilities point to a still bigger outrage: the alarming breakdown of health care for detained immigrants and asylum seekers.

The New York Times

While agreeing with Ed Schultz that this amounted to "business as usual on Wall Street," Sekoff lamented the American public's habit of "getting really mad about the little things, and then we lose sight of the big outrages".

Huffington Post

A generation ago, the biggest outrage in the capital was over lawmakers running up $25 in charges for personal phone calls, a blip that would hardly merit a mention elsewhere.

The New York Times

So maybe we shouldn't be surprised that this week's biggest outrage has to do with a net artist using Craigslist erotic masseuses to make penis drawings for an upscale hotel chain all in the name of critiquing how the art world whores itself out to big business.

Vice

Campaign-finance discussions tend to focus on a) the Presidential race and b) the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, but the biggest outrage concerning money in politics has little to do with either.

The New Yorker

Which is the bigger outrage?

The New York Times

And this isn't even the biggest outrage about this bill.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he wasn't rebuked, or worse, way back when – and that should be the biggest outrage of all.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a big outrage" to describe situations where there is significant public disapproval or indignation. Be specific about the cause of the outrage to provide context and clarity.

Common error

While "a big outrage" is acceptable, be mindful of your audience. In very formal or academic writing, consider using more precise language to convey the level of disapproval or ethical violation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big outrage" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a significant level of public anger or indignation. For example, Ludwig includes sentences such as "There hasn't been a big outrage over the teams being moved."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big outrage" is a phrase used to describe a significant expression of public anger or indignation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While acceptable, writers should consider their audience and context, opting for more precise vocabulary in formal settings. As Ludwig examples show, the phrase is employed to highlight societal reactions to controversial issues and events. Given the limited number of examples, the phrase has a rare frequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major scandal

Indicates a public event causing damage to reputation, often involving illegal or unethical behavior.

a significant grievance

Highlights a legitimate cause for complaint, focusing on the sense of injustice.

a deep sense of injustice

Emphasizes the emotional impact of unfairness, rather than the public expression of anger.

a considerable uproar

Focuses on the widespread public disturbance and noise resulting from a controversial event.

widespread indignation

Indicates that the feeling of outrage is common among many people.

a strong public backlash

Highlights the negative reaction from the public against a decision or action.

serious discontent

Suggests a quieter, less explosive form of disapproval, focusing on underlying dissatisfaction.

grave offense

Emphasizes the severity of the wrongdoing that caused the negative reaction.

a shocking episode

Focuses on the surprise and disbelief caused by a particular event.

a moral failing

Highlights ethical deficiencies or wrongdoing as the cause of strong disapproval.

FAQs

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

You can use "a big outrage" to describe something that causes widespread anger or indignation. For example, "The proposed tax increase caused "a big outrage" among taxpayers".

What are some alternatives to "a big outrage"?

Alternatives include "a major scandal", "a significant grievance", or "widespread indignation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "a big outrage"?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience and the formality of the context. More formal writing may benefit from more precise and nuanced vocabulary.

What makes something qualify as "a big outrage"?

A "big outrage" typically involves a situation that violates widely held moral or ethical standards, causing a strong and widespread negative reaction. It often involves issues of fairness, justice, or public trust.