a colossal success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a colossal success" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a great success that far outweighs expectations. For example, "The new movie was a colossal success, grossing over $300 million on its opening weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It was "a colossal success," she told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

This work, which broke with the classical portraiture of the time, was a colossal success.

The New Yorker

It is published as peace is declared - women of the East End are doing "jigs of patriotic indecency" - and proves a "colossal success".

The Guardian - Books

It proved a colossal success.

Wikipedia

Stop here, and it sounds like a colossal success story.

Huffington Post

Even the Olympics, which admittedly have been a colossal success, was somewhat lost on the time difference; the entire nation has basically slept through our most successful games in 108 years, instead learning of our success in one-minute Facebook videos the next day.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It's natural to worry that the colossal success of a tightly formatted movie such as the new "Transformers" will only stiffen the resolve of studios to repeat it, or will only solidify the shapes of existing pigeonholes and sideline unusual and distinctive movies even further.

The New Yorker

Death of a Nation will undoubtedly be a colossal financial success for D'Souza, just as each of his past films have been; it took in $2.3 million its opening weekend.

Vice

Perhaps, once an artist has enjoyed the kind of colossal success that Perry has seen, she becomes justly worried about any sort of defeat or regression, but terror at the prospect of failure is toxic for art.

The New Yorker

Greg Lake, who has died of cancer aged 69, first rose to fame with a brief stint in King Crimson before achieving colossal success with Emerson, Lake & Palmer during the 1970s.

The Guardian - Music

Still, given its deep pockets — Epic just raised a $1.25 billion round two months ago — settling a handful of small lawsuits over the game's well-loved dance emotes is a small price to pay for Fortnite's colossal success.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a colossal success" to emphasize the magnitude and impact of an achievement, particularly when it far exceeds initial expectations or surpasses previous benchmarks. It's ideal for highlighting the significance of events, projects, or performances.

Common error

Avoid using "a colossal success" in overly casual or informal conversations, as it can sound exaggerated or out of place. Opt for simpler terms like "big success" or "great achievement" in everyday contexts to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a colossal success" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. It characterizes something as extraordinarily successful, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples which showcase its descriptive power.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a colossal success" is a noun phrase that aptly describes an accomplishment of extraordinary magnitude. Ludwig AI confirms it to be grammatically correct and frequently used, predominantly within News & Media contexts to express admiration and highlight exceptional achievements. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where the magnitude of success truly warrants the emphasis. For more nuanced expressions, alternatives like "a resounding triumph" or "an overwhelming victory" can be considered, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ensure you use this phrase purposefully, avoiding overuse in informal settings to maintain its impact and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a resounding triumph

Replaces "colossal" with "resounding", emphasizing the clear and echoing nature of the success.

an overwhelming victory

Substitutes "success" with "victory" and "colossal" with "overwhelming", focusing on the dominance achieved.

a phenomenal achievement

Replaces "success" with "achievement" and "colossal" with "phenomenal", highlighting the extraordinary nature of the accomplishment.

a spectacular hit

Uses "hit" instead of "success", implying popularity and impact; "spectacular" emphasizes the impressiveness.

a stunning accomplishment

Replaces "success" with "accomplishment" and "colossal" with "stunning", focusing on the impressive and surprising nature of the achievement.

a huge breakthrough

Uses "breakthrough" to highlight a significant advancement or discovery that is also a success.

a massive win

Replaces "success" with "win" and "colossal" with "massive", suggesting a significant victory or gain.

a great feat

Replaces "success" with "feat", referring to a remarkable accomplishment, often involving skill or courage.

an extraordinary feat

Enhances "feat" with "extraordinary" instead of "colossal", underlining the exceptional quality of the accomplishment.

a landmark success

Modifies "success" with "landmark", indicating a significant and important achievement that sets a precedent.

FAQs

How can I use "a colossal success" in a sentence?

You can use "a colossal success" to describe something that has achieved a very high level of success. For example, "The new product launch was "a colossal success", exceeding all sales targets."

What are some alternatives to saying "a colossal success"?

Alternatives include "a resounding triumph", "an overwhelming victory", or "a phenomenal achievement", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a colossal success" in formal writing?

Yes, "a colossal success" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when highlighting a major achievement or milestone. Ensure the context warrants the emphasis.

What distinguishes "a colossal success" from "a big success"?

"A colossal success" emphasizes the scale and impact of the success, suggesting it is far larger or more significant than simply "a big success". The term "colossal" amplifies the magnitude of the accomplishment.