a disgrace to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a disgrace to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone or something brings shame or dishonor to a person, group, or concept. Example: "His actions were a disgrace to the values we uphold as a community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's a disgrace to Ecuador".

The New York Times

A disgrace to England".

The Guardian

She is a disgrace to womankind".

The New Yorker

Its a disgrace to the profession".

The New York Times

You are a disgrace to the race.

The Guardian

Bowyer was a disgrace to headbutt someone.

The Guardian - Sport

It is a disgrace to football".

The Guardian - Sport

You were a disgrace to the constituency".

The Guardian - Opinion

You a disgrace to the man race.

The Guardian

It's a disgrace to our nation".

The New Yorker

Their actions are a disgrace to everyone involved.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a disgrace to" to express strong disapproval or condemnation of someone's actions or character, highlighting the shame or dishonor they bring to a person, group, or ideal.

Common error

While "a disgrace to" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in casual conversation where milder expressions of disappointment or disapproval would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a disgrace to" functions as a predicate nominative or predicate adjective, used to express strong disapproval or condemnation. Ludwig examples show it modifying subjects ranging from individuals to abstract concepts, highlighting the shame or dishonor attributed to them.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a disgrace to" is a powerful expression used to convey strong disapproval and condemnation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While its intensity makes it suitable for expressing moral outrage, it's important to consider the formality of the context to avoid overuse in casual conversation. Related phrases like ""an embarrassment to"" or ""a discredit to"" offer milder alternatives when needed. Overall, "a disgrace to" remains a potent tool for expressing strong negative judgment when used thoughtfully and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dishonor to

Directly implies a lack of honor or integrity.

an embarrassment to

Focuses on the feeling of shame or awkwardness caused by someone's actions.

a discredit to

Emphasizes the damage to someone's reputation or credibility.

a stain on

Suggests a lasting mark of shame or dishonor.

a blot on

Similar to "a stain on", but perhaps more intense, implying something disfiguring.

a black mark on

Similar to "a stain on", focuses on damage on the reputation.

a reproach to

Indicates something deserving of blame or criticism.

a mockery of

Highlights the fact that something is being ridiculed or treated with contempt.

a travesty of

Emphasizes that something is a distorted or debased representation of something else.

an outrage to

Indicates something that is shocking or unacceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "a disgrace to" in a sentence?

You can use "a disgrace to" to express strong disapproval, for instance: "His behavior was "a disgrace to" the uniform." or "The way they treated him is "a disgrace to" our profession."

What's a less harsh way to say "a disgrace to"?

Alternatives to "a disgrace to" include "an embarrassment to", "a discredit to", or "a stain on", depending on the desired level of severity.

Is it appropriate to use "a disgrace to" in formal writing?

Yes, "a disgrace to" can be used in formal writing to convey strong disapproval, but ensure that the tone and context warrant such a strong expression.

How does "a disgrace to" differ from "an insult to"?

"A disgrace to" implies shame or dishonor brought upon something, while "an insult to" suggests disrespect or offense. The former focuses on the negative impact on reputation, whereas the latter focuses on the act of offending someone.