a full meal of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a full meal of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a complete meal that includes multiple courses or a variety of dishes. Example: "After a long day of hiking, we enjoyed a full meal of roasted chicken, vegetables, and dessert by the campfire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Who needs a full meal of gluttony?

Independent

So could you make a full meal of the tapas?

The New York Times

On Christmas, they make a full meal of turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy, and macaroni and cheese.

The Washington Post

In between, one gets a full meal of the war's vital ancillary components: technical aspects of how armies and navies were structured; the use of codes, ciphers and intelligence; analyses of artillery and cavalry clashes as well as military medicine.

The New York Times - Books

You could make a full meal of appetizers, but you would miss the excellent main courses like braised lamb with a spicy yogurt-and-sesame sauce and cubes of toasted pita, and chicken ouzi, an untraditional version of a traditional Syrian dish that adds a mild curry to the typical mixture of rice, peas and raisins cooked in phyllo.

The New York Times - Arts

You could make a full meal of appetizers, but that would leave no room for excellent main courses like braised lamb with a spicy yogurt-and-sesame sauce and cubes of toasted pita, and chicken ouzi, an untraditional version of a traditional Syrian dish that adds a mild curry to the typical mixture of rice, peas and raisins cooked in phyllo.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

If I were local to Morito, which I'm unfortunately not, I'd be tempted to use it more in a quick-drink-and-bite-after-work Spanish style than in a full-meal-of-tapas British manner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With that foundation, I dove into the culture of Paris; I spent many afternoons sitting in cafes, people-watching, I learned to make a full meal out of just bread, cheese, and wine, and I took great joy in cheering Les Bleus onto their second FIFA world championship.

Columbia University

It's a mensa (canteen) for workmen at the Giudecca boatyards, which also doubles as an art gallery, and we share a tomato and mozzarella salad with bread for €6, though there is the option of a full meal for €12.

The Guardian - Travel

Furthermore, for a starving child in a poor household who would rarely be fed a full meal, acceptability of food whether mixed with MMNP or not may not be an issue at all.

BMC Public Health

If you are invited to a tea party in the afternoon, do not expect a full meal regardless of the name used in the invitation.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing meals, use "a full meal of" to emphasize the variety and completeness of the offering, such as "a full meal of turkey, ham, and all the trimmings" to convey a festive and abundant spread.

Common error

Avoid using "a full meal of" when referring to a single dish or a very small portion; it implies a substantial and varied offering. For example, don't say "a full meal of a single apple"; instead, describe it as "a snack" or "a light bite".

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a prepositional phrase, typically following a verb or noun to describe what constitutes the meal. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a full meal of" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe a comprehensive and varied meal. Ludwig confirms this assessment. It's most frequently encountered in news articles but is also used in scientific and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately represents a substantial and complete meal, rather than a simple snack or single dish. Alternatives such as "a complete meal of" or "a hearty meal of" can be considered for slightly different nuances. Remember, this phrase implies variety and a satisfying quantity of food.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete meal of

Emphasizes the completeness and comprehensiveness of the meal.

a substantial meal of

Highlights the quantity and satisfying nature of the meal.

a hearty meal of

Suggests a large, filling, and satisfying meal.

a satisfying portion of

Focuses on the meal's ability to satiate hunger and provide contentment.

a generous serving of

Emphasizes the abundance and ample quantity of the meal.

a banquet of

Suggests a large, elaborate and sumptuous meal.

a feast of

Implies an abundant and celebratory meal.

an entire meal consisting of

Highlights that the meal is exclusively made up of the specified items.

a multi-course meal of

Emphasizes that the meal consists of many courses.

an ample supply of food

Focuses on the availability of a sufficient quantity of food.

FAQs

How can I use "a full meal of" in a sentence?

Use "a full meal of" to describe a comprehensive and satisfying meal, such as, "The restaurant offered "a full meal of" appetizers, entrees, and desserts".

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

You can use alternatives like "a complete meal of", "a substantial meal of", or "a hearty meal of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a full meal of" when describing a light snack?

No, it's generally not appropriate. "A full meal of" implies a substantial and varied offering, not a light snack. Use it when referring to a multi-course or comprehensive meal.

What’s the difference between "a full meal of" and "an entire meal consisting of"?

"A full meal of" implies variety and completeness, while "an entire meal consisting of" emphasizes that the meal is exclusively made up of the specified items. For example, "a full meal of pasta and veggies" implies only pasta and veggies are served, while "a full meal of meat, vegetables, and cheese" refers to a 3 course meal.