a bunch of malarkey

USAGE SUMMARY

"a bunch of malarkey" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express disbelief or suspicion about something that has been said. For example, "I don't believe a word of what she said - it was just a bunch of malarkey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

That's a bunch of malarkey".

The New York Times

Sadly for me, this is a bunch of malarkey.

The New York Times

And everyone knows that's a bunch of malarkey.

The New York Times

"How do you know it's not a bunch of malarkey?

The New York Times

I think cursing is a bunch of malarkey.

The New York Times - Magazine

In my opinion the whole thing is a bunch of malarkey.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Ravaged by injury, the ructions of the secret agents of Asada, and a bunch of other very "rugby league" malarkey involving camera phones and bodily fluids and road rage, and who knows what else, it would take the game's Eighth Immortal Andrew Johns being outed as a gun-trafficker for Al Qaida before you'd be surprised by anything rugby league dishes up.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think that is a lot of malarkey," he said.

The New York Times

("That's a bunch of stuff," he scoffed instead, in response to Ryan's charge that Obama's administration was abandoning Israel. "A bunch of stuff", he explained when pressed, means "malarkey". Which in this context, it seemed, meant "bullshit").

The Guardian

A bunch of ventriloquists?

The New York Times

"A bunch of racists".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While appropriate for informal conversation and some types of writing, avoid using "a bunch of malarkey" in formal academic or professional documents.

Common error

Avoid using "a bunch of malarkey" in contexts that require a professional or respectful tone. Instead, opt for phrases like "inaccurate information" or "misleading claims" to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bunch of malarkey" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express disbelief, skepticism, or dismissal of a statement or idea. According to Ludwig and its examples, it serves to negate something asserted as false or nonsensical.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bunch of malarkey" is a common idiomatic expression used to dismiss something as untrue or nonsensical. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct but primarily suited for informal contexts, like news articles quoting someone's informal speech. While widely used, it should be avoided in formal or professional settings where more precise and respectful language is required. Alternatives such as "a load of nonsense" or "falsehoods" can serve the same purpose with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a load of nonsense

This alternative replaces the specific term "malarkey" with a more generic term for foolishness.

a pack of lies

This alternative suggests that the statement is not just foolish but intentionally deceptive.

a crock of baloney

This alternative uses different, but equally informal, terms to express disbelief.

pure fabrication

This alternative emphasizes the falseness and constructed nature of the statement.

utter rubbish

This alternative uses a British English term to convey the idea of something being worthless and untrue.

complete hogwash

This alternative employs a folksy term indicating something ridiculous and untrue.

total bunk

This alternative is a shorter, more direct way of expressing that something is not true.

absolute poppycock

This alternative uses a less common, but still dismissive, term for nonsense.

arrant twaddle

This alternative uses less common, more sophisticated terms to express disbelief.

falsehoods

This alternative replaces the idiomatic expression with a straightforward noun denoting untruths.

FAQs

How can I use "a bunch of malarkey" in a sentence?

You can use "a bunch of malarkey" to dismiss something you believe is untrue or nonsensical. For example, "His claims about the project's success are just "a bunch of malarkey"."

What's a more formal way to say "a bunch of malarkey"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "falsehoods", "unsubstantiated claims", or "misleading information" instead of "a bunch of malarkey".

Is "a bunch of malarkey" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a bunch of malarkey" is grammatically correct, although it's considered informal. It follows the structure of "a bunch of + noun", which is common in English.

What are some alternatives to "a bunch of malarkey"?

Alternatives include "a load of nonsense", "a pack of lies", or "complete hogwash". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of formality required.