a flagrant misuse of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a flagrant misuse of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a blatant or obvious abuse of something, often in a critical context. Example: "The company's actions represent a flagrant misuse of their power, undermining the trust of their employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If this were a police matter and the Crown Prosecution Service had allowed it to get to court, we would be talking about a flagrant misuse of taxpayers' money.

The Guardian - Sport

The cherry picking of scientific evidence and simplistic translation of limited evidence into dietary imperatives is a flagrant misuse of scientific information.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Our tweeting readers have homed in on what they characterize as a flagrant misuse in this week's Comment.

The New Yorker

By Mary Norris September 14, 2012 Our tweeting readers have homed in on what they characterize as a flagrant misuse in this week's Comment.

The New Yorker

Prosecutors have been unyielding in their pursuit of a case that they say represents a clear and flagrant misuse of $925,000 that they argue was used to try to influence the outcome of the election.

The New York Times

Whether it was tripping and falling on a sidewalk, or a fender-bender car accident not even requiring a trip to the emergency room, the flagrant misuse of the diagnosis has earned it the dubious distinction of being the most abused and misapplied diagnosis in the psychiatric-legal lexicon.

Huffington Post

Barbara Bartoletti, the legislative director of the League of Women Voters in New York, said Mr. Maloney's action "essentially falls under what we consider to be the flagrant misuse of campaign dollars".

The New York Times

"This was a flagrant abuse of power," she said.

The Guardian

The commission's assignment is to see whether this payment constitutes a flagrant abuse of public trust.

The New York Times

This is a flagrant abuse of the trustee's authority and we will not succumb to his pressure".

The New York Times - Sports

A gross misuse of nomenclature.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a flagrant misuse of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being misused and why it is considered a blatant or shocking abuse. Specificity enhances the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a flagrant misuse of" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound out of place. Opt for simpler, more direct language unless you specifically aim to convey a strong sense of disapproval or outrage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a flagrant misuse of" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It typically describes a specific instance of something being used in an obviously incorrect or inappropriate manner. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a flagrant misuse of" is a noun phrase used to express strong disapproval of something being used inappropriately. Ludwig AI identifies the expression as grammatically correct and usable in formal written English. While it is not a highly frequent phrase, it effectively conveys a sense of outrage or criticism. The best practice is to use it in contexts where the misuse is blatant and the impact is significant. Alternatives like "a blatant abuse of" or "a gross misapplication of" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ensure to use this expression in formal contexts to avoid sounding awkward.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a blatant abuse of

This alternative emphasizes the obvious and reprehensible nature of the misuse, focusing on the exploitative aspect.

a gross misapplication of

This phrase highlights the significant inappropriateness of applying something in a given situation.

an egregious misappropriation of

This option focuses on the unethical or immoral aspect of the misuse, particularly in cases involving resources or funds.

a scandalous exploitation of

This alternative emphasizes the shocking and unethical nature of using something improperly for personal gain.

a conspicuous perversion of

This highlights the distortion or corruption of the original intent or purpose of something.

a flagrant abuse of power

This specifies the misuse as being related to authority or control, making it more precise in certain contexts.

a clear distortion of

This option emphasizes the alteration and misrepresentation aspect of the misuse, making it suitable when accuracy is paramount.

a patent misrepresentation of

This phrase underscores the obvious and misleading nature of the misuse, often in the context of information or facts.

a deliberate twisting of

This emphasizes the intentional and manipulative aspect of the misuse, suggesting a calculated effort to distort.

a grave misjudgment of

This alternative suggests the misuse stems from a serious error in judgment or assessment.

FAQs

What does "a flagrant misuse of" mean?

The phrase "a flagrant misuse of" describes a situation where something is used in a shockingly inappropriate or obviously wrong way. It suggests a blatant disregard for proper use or ethical considerations.

How to use "a flagrant misuse of" in a sentence?

Use "a flagrant misuse of" to describe actions that are clearly wrong and demonstrate a lack of respect for established rules or norms. For example: "The politician's use of campaign funds for personal expenses was "a flagrant misuse of" public trust."

What can I say instead of "a flagrant misuse of"?

You can use alternatives such as "a blatant abuse of", "a gross misapplication of", or "an egregious misappropriation of" depending on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "flagrant misuse" a formal expression?

Yes, "flagrant misuse" is considered a formal expression. It is typically used in professional, academic, or journalistic contexts where a serious and clearly wrong action is being described. For less formal situations, simpler terms may be more appropriate.