a gross idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a gross idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an idea, action, or occurrence that is considered unpleasant, distasteful, or shocking. For example: "I can't believe that someone would suggest such a gross idea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I had a gross idea of the main slope but after cutting that out, it was just a big and fearful art adventure as any other.

Vice

Whereas such recordings do not enable precise evaluation of single cell selectivities, they do give a gross idea of the local neuronal "preferences" [39], [40], [41], [42].

Plosone

Initially, base frequencies of different genes and codon positions were visualized to obtain a gross idea of base frequency differences among potential data partitions.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The main weakness of the study is the lack of quantification of pollen delivery in different treatments: I think the authors should try to give the reader, at the very least, a gross idea of the order of magnitude of differences between natural and artificial pollen supply.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Well, that gross idea just pulled in a $4 million Series A round from AccellFoods, existing investor Collaborative Fund and a bunch of angels including Nas and Tim Ferriss.

TechCrunch

Fuck this guy and fuck this gross idea.

Vice

While the notion that detecting and treating early-stage cancers can prevent deaths might seem logical, the idea represents a gross oversimplification of how cancer works, Dr. Kramer said.

The New York Times - Health

The idea is inhumane and a gross violation of basic European principles".

The Guardian

It was a powerful tool to take a gross empirical assay to give a biochemical idea of what's going on.

Journal of Cheminformatics

2) The Qur'an supports equal treatment of women and nonbelievers: Such a manipulation of ideas within Islam causes a gross misunderstanding of important values like equality.

Huffington Post

"The idea of imminent insolvency is a gross distortion".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a gross idea", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific reason for the distaste or unpleasantness. This provides clarity and strengthens your message.

Common error

Avoid using "a gross idea" in formal or professional settings where a more nuanced or sophisticated term would be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "unacceptable proposal" or "flawed concept" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a gross idea" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "gross" modifies the noun "idea". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is typically used to express a negative evaluation of a plan, concept, or suggestion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a gross idea" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express strong disapproval or disgust towards a particular concept. As verified by Ludwig AI, it appears most commonly in news and media, with some use in scientific contexts. While effective in conveying a negative sentiment, it may be too informal for formal writing, where more nuanced alternatives might be preferred. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly explains what makes the idea so distasteful. Consider alternatives like "a nasty idea" or "a repulsive idea" depending on the specific shade of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a nasty idea

Replaces "gross" with "nasty", indicating something unpleasant or offensive.

a repulsive idea

Substitutes "gross" with "repulsive", emphasizing the idea's capacity to cause disgust.

a disgusting idea

Replaces "gross" with "disgusting", highlighting the idea's extremely unpleasant nature.

a revolting idea

Uses "revolting" instead of "gross", stressing the idea's tendency to cause strong aversion.

an abhorrent idea

Replaces "gross" with "abhorrent", signifying the idea is worthy of strong condemnation.

a dreadful idea

Substitutes "gross" with "dreadful", implying the idea is extremely bad or unpleasant.

a terrible idea

Uses "terrible" instead of "gross", indicating the idea's poor quality or effect.

a horrible idea

Replaces "gross" with "horrible", emphasizing the idea's capacity to inspire horror or disgust.

an unpleasant notion

Replaces "gross idea" with "unpleasant notion" which shifts to a more neutral term.

a distasteful suggestion

Substitutes "gross idea" with "distasteful suggestion", conveying a lack of appeal.

FAQs

What does "a gross idea" mean?

The phrase "a gross idea" refers to an idea that is considered unpleasant, distasteful, or shocking. It suggests something offensive or morally wrong.

What can I say instead of "a gross idea"?

You can use alternatives like "a nasty idea", "a repulsive idea", or "a disgusting idea" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a gross idea" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a gross idea" might be too informal or emotionally charged for formal writing. Consider using more neutral or professional alternatives like "unacceptable proposal" or "flawed concept".

How can I make my writing more specific when describing "a gross idea"?

Instead of simply labeling an idea as "a gross idea", explain exactly what makes it so unpleasant or unacceptable. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.