a crack team

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a crack team" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a highly skilled and efficient group of individuals, often in a professional or military context. Example: "The company hired a crack team of engineers to develop the new software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A crack team of former arcade button-bashers.

Independent

They read like a crack team of children's librarians.

The New York Times - Arts

They may be part of a crack team sent from Europe to snoop on the election.

The New York Times

Aldrete assembled a crack team for his linothorax project: Bartell, himself, and his wife, Alicia Aldrete.

The New Yorker

Mr. Padgett and a crack team of scholars present their findings in a five-pound catalog.

The New York Times

Mr. Wheeldon has assembled a crack team that has worked on Broadway and in dance.

The New York Times - Arts

We don't know, and are dispatching a crack team of Bowie fans to have a look.

The Guardian - Music

Ashley's signal gets disrupted just as a crack team of ghost nation fighters come into view.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I ingeniously ambushed a crack team of US commandos in my bedroom.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fever is written and produced by a crack team of pop songwriters.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then it should hire a crack team of programmers to write new code.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a crack team" when you want to emphasize the exceptional skills and efficiency of a group assembled for a specific purpose. It adds a sense of expertise and reliability.

Common error

While "a crack team" is widely understood, avoid using it excessively in very informal settings where simpler terms like "good team" or "skilled group" might be more appropriate. Overusing it can sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a crack team" functions as a noun phrase, where "crack" serves as an adjective modifying the noun "team". It is used to describe a group of individuals recognized for their exceptional abilities and efficiency, as supported by examples found on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a crack team" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a highly skilled and efficient group of individuals. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in highly informal settings. Remember that the term implies exceptional competence and expertise. Alternatives such as "an elite squad" or "a top-notch group" can be used for variety. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an elite squad

Replaces "team" with "squad" and "crack" with "elite", emphasizing a select and highly skilled group.

a top-notch group

Uses "top-notch" to describe the high quality of the group.

an expert unit

Substitutes "team" with "unit" and "crack" with "expert", highlighting the specialized skills of the group.

a highly skilled task force

More formal, replacing "team" with "task force" to suggest a group assembled for a specific purpose.

a proficient crew

Uses "crew" as a more informal substitute for "team", suggesting a group working together.

a first-rate taskforce

First-rate and taskforce adds a sense of urgency or specific goal

a stellar ensemble

Ensemble is appropriate in artistic fields.

a hand-picked team

Hand-picked suggests careful selection.

an accomplished task force

Using a more formal tone.

a capable unit

More generic alternative, implying competence without the strong emphasis on excellence.

FAQs

How can I use "a crack team" in a sentence?

You can use "a crack team" to describe a highly skilled and efficient group of people working together, such as, "The company assembled "a crack team" of engineers to solve the complex problem".

What can I say instead of "a crack team"?

You can use alternatives like "an elite squad", "a top-notch group", or "an expert unit" depending on the specific context.

Is "a crack team" formal or informal?

"A crack team" is generally considered neutral in tone and suitable for both professional and news-related contexts. However, it might sound slightly less formal than phrases like "a highly skilled task force".

What distinguishes "a crack team" from a regular team?

"A crack team" implies a higher level of skill, expertise, and efficiency compared to an ordinary team. The term suggests that the individuals involved are exceptionally capable and have been specifically chosen for their abilities.