a full house

USAGE SUMMARY

"a full house" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a room or venue that is at its maximum capacity, or a situation with many people involved. For example: "The theater was filled to capacity – it was a full house!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

They have a full house.

The New Yorker

It was a full house.

The New Yorker

It must have been a full house.

The New Yorker

A full house by six o'clock".

The New Yorker

A full house.

The Guardian - Sport

-- A full house story of poker mania.

The Washington Post

It was, naturally, a full house.

The Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was a full house, and it rocked.

Stanford University

Fortunately, we had a full house.

Duke University

I am told it will be a full house.

Independent

First one to a full house avoids a forfeit.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or venues, use "a full house" to create a vivid image of popularity and high demand. For example, "The concert drew a full house, with fans eager to see the band perform."

Common error

Avoid using "a full house" when you simply mean a large group of people. "A full house" implies the space is filled to capacity. For instance, don't say "We had a full house for dinner" if there were just a few extra guests; instead, say "We had a lot of people for dinner."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a full house" functions primarily as a noun phrase. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it commonly describes a place filled to capacity. It also describes a specific poker hand, as seen in some examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

9%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a full house" is a common phrase used to describe a venue or situation filled to capacity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media, it denotes that a place is packed. While its primary function is descriptive, it can also be used metaphorically. For best use, ensure the context aligns with complete occupancy and avoid using it for merely large gatherings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at full capacity

Directly refers to a space or system being filled to its maximum limit.

capacity crowd

Directly indicates that the maximum number of people are present.

jam-packed

Highlights the density of people or items filling a space.

completely packed

Emphasizes the state of being entirely filled, similar to a venue at capacity.

wall-to-wall

Describes a space completely filled from one side to the other.

sold out

Specifically refers to all available tickets or items being purchased.

standing room only

Indicates that all seats are taken and only standing space is available.

filled to the brim

Implies a space is filled to its absolute maximum, often used metaphorically.

packed to the rafters

A more figurative expression suggesting a space is extremely crowded.

overflowing

Suggests that something is filled beyond its capacity and spilling over.

FAQs

How can I use "a full house" in a sentence?

You can use "a full house" to describe a venue filled to capacity, such as "The theater had "a full house" for the premiere" or to describe a family with many members living together, as in "They have "a full house", with three generations under one roof".

What can I say instead of "a full house"?

Alternatives to "a full house" include "at full capacity", "completely packed", or "standing room only", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "a full house" to describe a busy restaurant?

Yes, it is appropriate to use "a full house" to describe a busy restaurant, as it implies that all the tables are occupied and the restaurant is filled to its maximum capacity. For example: "The restaurant had "a full house" on Friday night".

Can "a full house" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "a full house" can be used metaphorically to describe a situation where something is completely filled or occupied, not necessarily in a physical sense. For instance, you might say "Our schedule is "a full house" this week" to mean it's completely booked.