a colossal chunk of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a colossal chunk of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large portion or significant amount of something, often in a figurative sense. Example: "After the meeting, we realized we had a colossal chunk of work ahead of us to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And at roughly $750 billion a year (for defense, homeland security, wars overseas, the VA, and nuclear weapons), it's a colossal chunk of money, representing nearly two-thirds of federal discretionary spending.

Huffington Post

The most recent occurred in December 2002, when a colossal chunk of the Stromboli volcano slid into the Aeolian Sea, creating a 10-meter-high tsunami that snapped moorings of oil tankers in Milazzo harbor, 100 kilometers away, but did little other damage.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It shows how in the 18th century, when Anglo-French rivalry was at its height, the capacity of the Brits to devour colossal chunks of cattle, dripping with fat, was used by patriotic writers and artists to symbolise the nation's superiority to the effete French, with their less robust tastes.In 1748 William Hogarth painted "O the Roast Beef of Old England".

The Economist

The markets aren't recovering, because banks own colossal chunks of mystery-meat assets.

Huffington Post

A colossal sense of comedy, fun, humor.

The New York Times

It is a colossal act of charity.

The New York Times

Not just a goal but a colossal thing of beauty.

The New Yorker

WAS it all a colossal waste of lives and money?

The Economist

"But Pan Am is a colossal collection of minimums".

The New York Times

Yet "A Colossal Failure of Common Sense" largely rings true.

The Economist

Pale yellow, it resembles a colossal slice of honeycomb.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a colossal chunk of" when you want to emphasize not only the size of something but also its impressive or overwhelming nature. This phrase is more impactful than simply saying "a large part of".

Common error

Avoid using "a colossal chunk of" in contexts where the size is not truly remarkable or significant. Overusing such phrases can diminish their impact and make your writing sound exaggerated or insincere. Consider more neutral alternatives like "a significant portion" if the situation doesn't warrant strong emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a colossal chunk of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It modifies a noun, indicating a very large portion or amount. Ludwig AI shows examples where this phrase describes significant quantities of money or physical things.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a colossal chunk of" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the large and impressive size of something. Ludwig AI identifies its grammatical correctness and use in contexts ranging from news and media to scientific publications. While not overly frequent, its presence in authoritative sources like The Economist and The New York Times shows its acceptability in professional communication. When writing, use this phrase when you specifically want to highlight the overwhelming size or significance of a portion, and remember that alternatives like "a substantial portion of" or "a significant segment of" may be more appropriate in less emphatic contexts. Remember it's generally correct but not very used and it should be employed only in specific occasions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial portion of

Emphasizes the significance of the amount.

a sizable fraction of

Highlights the part-to-whole relationship.

a significant segment of

Focuses on a specific division or component.

a considerable amount of

Stresses the quantity or degree.

a large piece of

Implies a physical or conceptual fragment.

a hefty segment of

Emphasizes the considerable size of a section or group

a great quantity of

Focuses on the sheer number of items or substance.

a major share of

Indicates a dominant part or stake.

a vast expanse of

Suggests a wide or extensive area.

an enormous quantity of

Highlights the very big size of something

FAQs

How can I use "a colossal chunk of" in a sentence?

Use "a colossal chunk of" to describe a large and impressive portion of something, as in, "A colossal chunk of the budget goes to defense".

What are some alternatives to saying "a colossal chunk of"?

You can use alternatives like "a substantial portion of", "a sizable fraction of", or "a significant segment of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a colossal chunk from" instead of "a colossal chunk of"?

While "chunk from" can be used in some contexts, "a colossal chunk of" is the more standard and widely accepted phrasing when referring to a large portion. "Chunk from" might imply a piece physically separated from a whole.

What's the difference between "a big chunk of" and "a colossal chunk of"?

"A big chunk of" simply indicates a large portion, whereas "a colossal chunk of" emphasizes the immense size or significance of that portion. "Colossal" adds a sense of impressiveness or exaggeration.