a big sham

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big sham" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is a fraud or deceptive, often implying that it is not what it appears to be. Example: "The event was advertised as a charity fundraiser, but it turned out to be a big sham designed to enrich the organizers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"This is a big sham," Mr. Sebastian said, incensed.

The New York Times

"The Linkery is a big sham," he told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

I've always said that this whole "publicly traded company" scheme has always been a big sham.

University of California, Berkeley

In his "Iceman Cometh -like Cometh -like Warconceptith Mr. Warchusm's tacit approval) is Harry Hope, dashing every illusion until even the traditional showith elixirs of glaMr.r, noSondheimand romantic fantasy have lost their life; it's all a big sham.

The New York Times

Mr Modi also attacked the opposition Congress party's election pledge of a minimum income guarantee scheme, calling it a "big sham".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

True, Angels may leave you empowered and ready to face life with rekindled fearlessness while Iceman makes you question if your life is a big delusional sham.

Huffington Post

Perhaps the strangest marriage in the show is the one that should be the biggest sham — that of Philip Jennings and Martha Alison Wrightt), an F.B.I. secretary whom he spent last season seducing, quite tenderly, so that she would bug her boss's office.

The New Yorker

Dean G. Skelos, the Senate minority leader, called the budget "antifamily, antibusiness" and "the biggest sham" he had ever seen.

The New York Times

FACT: It has already been foretold by Muhammad(saw) that Muslims & Christians will fight a big battle in As-Sham & that Muslims will prevail.

Vice

Then when we stopped to get some rest near a big restaurant called Bilaad ash-Sham I saw many Iraqi and Syrian buses filled with travelers, and many four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The New York Times

Shams is a big Magic: the Gathering fan, so I fulfilled a dream of his to put him on a Magic card.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a big sham" when you want to emphasize that something is not just deceptive, but also larger in scope or impact than a typical deception. It's often used to express strong disapproval or outrage.

Common error

Avoid using "a big sham" in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. The phrase has a somewhat informal tone and may be perceived as unprofessional. Opt for more neutral terms like "deception" or "fraud".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big sham" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a predicate nominative or object complement. It serves to characterize something as fraudulent or deceptive. As shown in Ludwig, it expresses a strong negative assessment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a big sham" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe something significantly deceptive or fraudulent. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and BBC, indicating its presence in news and media. While not exceedingly formal, it's a powerful way to express disapproval. For alternatives, consider phrases like "a complete deception" or "a total fraud". When aiming to convey a strong sense of injustice or expose falsehood, "a big sham" serves effectively in many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete deception

Focuses more directly on the act of deceiving.

a total fraud

Emphasizes the fraudulent nature of something.

a blatant lie

Highlights the untruthfulness and obviousness of the deception.

a deceptive practice

Emphasizes the systematic and repeated nature of the misleading action.

a false pretense

Stresses the use of a misleading appearance or claim.

a mere facade

Implies that something is only superficially appealing or truthful.

a hollow promise

Highlights the lack of substance or intention behind a statement.

a carefully constructed illusion

Emphasizes the deliberate and elaborate nature of the deception.

a misleading charade

Highlights the performative aspect of the deceit.

a calculated deceit

Emphasizes the intentional and planned nature of the deception.

FAQs

What does "a big sham" mean?

The phrase "a big sham" refers to something that is a significant deception, fraud, or pretense. It suggests that something is not genuine or honest and is intended to mislead people.

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

You can use "a big sham" to describe a situation, event, or claim that is significantly deceptive. For example: "The charity event turned out to be "a big sham", with most of the money going to the organizers instead of the intended recipients."

What are some synonyms for "a big sham"?

Synonyms for "a big sham" include "a complete deception", "a total fraud", or "a blatant lie". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a big sham" in formal writing?

While the phrase is grammatically correct, "a big sham" may be too informal for certain formal contexts. In academic or business writing, consider using more neutral or professional terms like "deception", "fraud", or "misrepresentation".