a blanket refusal

USAGE SUMMARY

"a blanket refusal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when someone refuses to accept all requests or demands. For example, "The government's blanket refusal to negotiate was met with outrage from protest groups."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But he said Rippon's response was a "blanket refusal to entertain the idea".

The Guardian

A blanket refusal to see the destitute and struggling deeply troubles me.

The New Yorker

Cardinal Napier said he was pleased that he was not met with a "blanket refusal".

The New York Times

Paxman said Rippon's response was a "blanket refusal to entertain the idea".

The Guardian

But Paxman said Rippon's response was a "blanket refusal to entertain the idea".

The Guardian

He said Labour's amendment was not a "blanket refusal to put up VAT" but a "reasoned and considered amendment" which was calling on the government to do more to help those worst hit by a VAT rise.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Amid intense secrecy, including a nearly blanket refusal to comment, the administration sought to negotiate over the safety of the dissident, Chen Guangcheng, who is said to be in American hands in Beijing — though it remained unclear late Sunday whether he was in the embassy, in a diplomatic residence, or somewhere else.

The New York Times

He mocked the blanket refusal to even admit a file was kept on him, and said he approves if it was: "To confirm or deny the existence of such files is said to make it inevitable that those on whom it did hold files would be able 'incrementally to deduce that fact and so damage national security'.

The Guardian

Neither his blanket refusal to release his tax returns nor the unearthing of the "Access Hollywood" tape halted his progress.

The New Yorker

Even within Israel's peace camp, some have criticized the reservists' blanket refusal to serve in the territories.

The New York Times

However, as the BMA needs to save some face, I hope they will drop their blanket refusal to discuss rates of Saturday pay.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a blanket refusal" when you want to emphasize that the refusal is comprehensive and applies to all cases without exception. It is stronger than a simple refusal.

Common error

Avoid using "a blanket refusal" in very casual settings. Opt for simpler expressions like "a firm no" or "outright rejection" for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blanket refusal" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe a comprehensive rejection of an idea, proposal or action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a blanket refusal" is a noun phrase used to describe a comprehensive and unconditional rejection. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes that it is commonly found in news and media contexts to describe policy or strategic decisions. While grammatically sound, it is more suitable for formal or neutral communication and should be avoided in casual settings. Consider alternatives like "an outright rejection" or "a firm no" for less formal situations. Using "a blanket refusal" emphasizes the complete lack of exceptions, reinforcing the firmness of the rejection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an outright rejection

Replaces "blanket refusal" with a more direct term for complete denial.

a complete denial

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the refusal.

a total rejection

Similar to complete denial, stressing totality.

a firm no

A more concise and informal way to express refusal.

an absolute veto

Uses a term associated with power and prohibition.

a categorical refusal

Highlights the lack of exceptions in the refusal.

a flat denial

Simple and direct, indicating no room for discussion.

a sweeping rejection

Implies the refusal covers a wide range of possibilities.

a wholesale rejection

Indicates the rejection of something in its entirety.

a non-negotiable refusal

Stresses that the refusal cannot be discussed or changed.

FAQs

How can I use "a blanket refusal" in a sentence?

You can use "a blanket refusal" to describe a situation where someone or some entity refuses all requests or demands. For instance, "The company's "a blanket refusal" to negotiate led to a strike."

What are some alternatives to saying "a blanket refusal"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "an outright rejection", "a complete denial", or "a firm no".

Is "a blanket refusal" formal or informal?

"A blanket refusal" is generally considered appropriate for formal and neutral contexts. In very informal settings, simpler alternatives may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "a blanket refusal" and "a simple refusal"?

"A blanket refusal" implies a comprehensive and unconditional rejection, whereas "a simple refusal" may refer to a specific instance or request. The term "blanket" emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the refusal.