a con job

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a con job" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a fraudulent scheme or trick designed to deceive someone, often for financial gain. Example: "He fell for a con job that promised him a quick return on his investment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Politics

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

A con job.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was like a con job".

The New Yorker

Yes, it's a con job.

The Washington Post

That's a con job by Tony Abbott".

The Guardian

It was, of course, a con job.

The New York Times - Books

Some writers called the bout a "con job," but Liebling disagreed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Her political action committee is little more than a con job--she has donated merely 1.7percentt of the money she has raised to political candidates across the country.

Huffington Post

It is simply a con-job designed to provide cover for cuts to tax credits that will leave people far worse off.

Independent

Climate change is a "con-job" and a "hoax" that was "created by and for the Chinese in order to make US manufacturing non-competitive".

The Guardian - Opinion

They promised "at worst no extra costs". That is why I say their rhetorical pleas for this system were a "Con Job". That is why this law has saddled every citizen and Congress in the future with some very hard choices.

University of California, Berkeley

Is The Harvard Business Review A Con Job That Treats Its Readers As 'Fat, Dumb Frogs'?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this phrase for contexts involving social or political criticism, as it carries a strong tone of skepticism and exposure.

Common error

Avoid using "a con job" to describe a plan that simply failed or was poorly executed. A con job requires a deliberate 'sting' or a manipulative trick; using it for mere incompetence can weaken your argument and mischaracterize the intent of the parties involved.

Linguistic Context

In a sentence, "a con job" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a direct object or a subject complement. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used to provide a sharp, critical label for complex situations that the speaker deems fraudulent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Politics

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a con job" is a robust and effective way to describe organized deception in contemporary English. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and very common expression, particularly within political and investigative journalism. Whether used to describe a financial swindle or a misleading political narrative, it carries a punchy, critical weight that signals deep skepticism. While its roots are informal, its widespread use in authoritative sources like The Washington Post and The Guardian confirms its status as a standard tool for exposing perceived frauds in the public sphere.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a scam

a more general and contemporary term for a fraudulent scheme

a swindle

emphasizes the illicit acquisition of money or property

a confidence trick

the more formal and complete version of the term

a fraud

carries more serious and potentially legal connotations

a sham

highlights that something is a false imitation or a pretense

a hoax

implies a deceptive story or trick, often without a direct financial motive

a hustle

suggests an aggressive or clever way of getting money through persuasion

a rip-off

significantly more informal and usually refers to overcharging

a ruse

focuses on the strategic trickery used to deceive someone

double-dealing

specifically refers to deceitful behavior by someone pretending to cooperate

FAQs

What does it mean when someone calls a plan "a con job"?

It means they believe the plan is a fraudulent scheme designed to trick people, often for financial or political gain. You might also call it "a scam" or "a hoax" depending on the specific intent.

Is "a con job" too informal for professional writing?

While it originates from slang, it is widely used in high-quality journalism and editorials. However, in strictly legal or academic documents, "a fraudulent scheme" or "deceptive practice" would be more appropriate.

What is the origin of the term "a con job"?

The term is derived from 'confidence job', where a 'con man' wins the confidence of a victim to defraud them. It is similar in meaning to "a confidence trick".

Can I say "a con" instead of "a con job"?

Yes, "a con" is often used as a shortened version. For example, you can say "It was all just "a con"" to express the same idea of a deceptive trick.