a complete load of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complete load of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is nonsense or not true. Example: "His explanation for being late was a complete load of rubbish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Which is a complete load of rubbish.

The Guardian

That's just a complete load of rubbish.

The Guardian - Music

This is all just a complete load of nonsense.

The Guardian

Except that it's a complete load of codswallop.

The Guardian - Money

Fortunately, when I showed the aforementioned chapter to a professorial colleague, he uttered the immortal words: "It's a complete load of bollocks, James".

The Guardian

Others point out that if the jury were going to rip up the whole list of charges as a complete load of nonsense, they wouldn't be taking 72 hours.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Perhaps less colourfully," adds Secker, "what would be your response to this?" "Complete load of b*****ks," said Geldof again, suppressing a smile.

Independent

Even if the complete load of SF6 pours into our lab, it won't fill more than knee-height or so.

Columbia University

"Complete load of bollocks," Geldof says again, prompting Secker to swiftly wrap up the interview: "Ok, I'm afraid we'll have to apologise for that language again and there we will leave it.

The Guardian

Upon arrival at Saint-Nazaire on 19 September, El Sol delivered her complete load of animals; none had died during the passage.

Wikipedia

Second, the complete reloading of the jvm and the complete loading of our data for each query increase the latency period.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a complete load of" to express strong disagreement or disbelief in informal contexts. It's suitable when you want to convey that something is entirely untrue or nonsensical.

Common error

Avoid using "a complete load of" in formal writing such as academic papers or business reports. Its informal tone can undermine your credibility. Opt for more professional alternatives like "unsubstantiated claims" or "inaccurate information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complete load of" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express strong disagreement or disbelief. It essentially negates the validity or truthfulness of something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's often used to dismiss something as nonsense or rubbish.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a complete load of" is an informal expression used to dismiss something as nonsense or untrue. It functions as a strong statement of disagreement or disbelief, often used to negate the validity of a claim. While Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct, its informal tone makes it unsuitable for formal writing. It is commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and scientific contexts but less frequently in academic or business settings. Alternative phrases include "utter nonsense" and "total rubbish".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total rubbish

Indicates that something is of very poor quality or completely untrue.

utter nonsense

Emphasizes the lack of sense or logic in something.

total falsehood

Directly states that something is untrue.

absolute hogwash

Suggests something is ridiculously false or nonsensical.

complete sham

Implies something is a deceptive imitation or pretense.

complete fabrication

Highlights the deliberate act of inventing something untrue.

sheer bunkum

Another term for nonsense, often used informally.

pure balderdash

A more old-fashioned term for nonsense.

unadulterated codswallop

Highlights that the nonsense is not diluted with any truth.

arrant twaddle

Suggests the statement is both foolish and annoying.

FAQs

What does "a complete load of" mean?

The expression "a complete load of" is an informal way to say that something is nonsense, untrue, or of very poor quality.

How can I use "a complete load of" in a sentence?

You can use "a complete load of" to express strong disagreement or disbelief, such as, "His excuse was "a complete load of rubbish"".

What can I say instead of "a complete load of"?

Alternatives to "a complete load of" include "utter nonsense", "total rubbish", or "absolute hogwash", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "a complete load of" in formal writing?

No, it is generally not appropriate to use "a complete load of" in formal writing. Opt for more professional and precise language, such as "unsubstantiated claims" or "inaccurate information".