a great mess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great mess" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is chaotic, disorganized, or untidy. Example: "After the party, the living room was left in a great mess, with empty bottles and scattered decorations everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The garden is a great mess.

The New Yorker

Letters are welcome via e-mail to [email protected] wordsSIR – Given the British predilection for finding something praiseworthy even in a great mess, I wonder why you are so negative about George Bush and Tony Blair ("Sincere deceivers", July 17th).

The Economist

Her husband, Itamar, has his own armful of experience and says he has been cooking since the age of five "and leaving a great mess in the kitchen ever since".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A mess, but a great mess...vintage, Philip Lim, the color white and too many bags and shoes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's the rage now so turn the page now And boost your stack, hey And boost your stack, hey It might sound frightening but it's the right thing To modernize, hey Your enterprise, hey Or you can stick with what you've got and make a great big mess, mess, mess Go No SQL style.

TechCrunch

There are a few cases where the situation is something of a greater mess.

The Guardian

"Love can change a person the way a parent can change a baby: awkwardly, and often with a great deal of mess".

Huffington Post

Given the amount of bad loans, estimated at perhaps ¥150 trillion $1.2 trillionn), and public debt approaching 140% of GDP, there appears to be no way to resolve the mess without a great deal of pain, including widespread bankruptcies.

The Economist

We have to be interested in America, because no matter how much of a third world country it's become in the last few years... it's a great big mess.

The Guardian - Film

And a ruddy great mess at the end.

The Guardian - Opinion

And while he could claim, like Grant, to know the Deep South spring season in all its sweaty, gnat-smacked difficulty as a veteran of the Mexican War, General Thomas was a newcomer to this great mess in Mississippi.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great mess" when you want to emphasize the large scale or significant impact of disorder or chaos in a situation. For instance, "The project turned into a great mess due to poor planning."

Common error

Avoid using "great" excessively as a general intensifier. While "a great mess" is acceptable, varying your language with alternatives like "significant", "tremendous", or more descriptive words can make your writing more engaging and precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great mess" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a state of disorder or chaos. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. The adjective "great" intensifies the noun "mess", emphasizing the magnitude or significance of the disorder.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a great mess" is a grammatically sound and generally accepted way to describe a state of significant disorder or chaos. Ludwig indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While "great" can be a versatile intensifier, it's advisable to vary your word choice for a more engaging writing style. Related phrases like "a tremendous mess" or "utter chaos" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas. When using this phrase, consider the scale and impact of the disorder you're describing to ensure it aligns with the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tremendous mess

Replaces "great" with "tremendous", emphasizing the size or degree of the mess.

a considerable mess

Uses "considerable" instead of "great", highlighting the substantial nature of the mess.

a significant mess

Substitutes "great" with "significant", focusing on the importance or impact of the mess.

a total disaster

Replaces the entire phrase with "a total disaster", indicating a complete failure or state of disarray.

an utter shambles

Uses "utter shambles" to convey a state of complete disorder and confusion.

a complete chaos

Emphasizes the chaotic nature of the situation, highlighting a total lack of order.

a fearful muddle

Replaces "mess" with "muddle", conveying confusion and disarray; "fearful" intensifies the extent.

a hopeless jumble

Emphasizes the disorganized and irredeemable nature of the mess.

a royal screw-up

More informal, this phrase indicates a significant error or mistake leading to a mess.

a dog's breakfast

A colloquial expression indicating something that is very untidy or badly done.

FAQs

How can I use "a great mess" in a sentence?

You can use "a great mess" to describe a situation characterized by significant disorder or chaos. For example: "The office was "a great mess" after the surprise party".

What can I say instead of "a great mess"?

You can use alternatives like "a huge mess", "a total disaster", or "utter chaos" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a big mess" or "a great mess"?

Both "a big mess" and "a great mess" are acceptable, but "a great mess" often implies a mess of larger scale or significance. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "a mess" and "a great mess"?

"A mess" simply describes a state of disorder. Adding "great" emphasizes the extent or impact of the disorder, suggesting it is particularly large or problematic.