a load of acid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a load of acid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used informally to describe something as nonsensical or ridiculous, often in a dismissive context. Example: "What he said about the project was just a load of acid; it made no sense at all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I've just taken a load of acid".

The Guardian - Travel

The first time I went on stage with the Happy Mondays I'd taken a load of acid and I thought it was really funny.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Larry explains: "We were doing a gig in Italy, me and D Wayne in the early days, with two turntables and a load of acid house records and some obscure blues LPs.

The Guardian - Music

Now, Lost in Showbiz doesn't know about you, but society weddings have always struck it as stuffy affairs that might be considerably improved by the presence of the kind of bloke who takes a load of acid then has a fight with someone who isn't there.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

On a perfect day, it is not even extreme, technically, although at least once a week it can take two hours or more, and it has taken as long as three, such as when a truck flipped on the interstate and spilled a load of battery acid.

The New Yorker

This load of acid, and thus chloride, is regulated by synergistic activities of histamine, gastrin and acetylcholine.

Critical Care

In a mouse model of chronic infection with M. bovis BCG, acute infection with influenza virus moderately increased the load of acid-fast bacilli in the liver, although this change was not significant (9 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Ensiled animal feedstuffs naturally contain a high load of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and it is not possible to detect and quantify the level of a specific LAB strain (e.g., NP51) in this matrix using traditional microbiological culture.

Journal of Microbiological Methods

This finding supports the conclusion that clinical OWLD on cultivated lowland pastures is connected to high levels of soluble carbohydrates in the grass, giving a heavy load of propionic acid to the liver of the lambs [ 11, 15].

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Finally comparing CIR1790 (7.9% AleA and 0% AmB) with CIR1791 (5.5% AleA and 8.2% AmB) showed the additive effect of amphotericin B to a loading of 5.5 7.9% alendronic acid; the copolymers went from essentially inactive to a very good level of anti-leishmanial activity.

Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry

A kind of solvent with aqueous blend alkanolamine by adding an additive is widely used to enhance the loading of acid gas.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a load of acid" to express strong disagreement or dismissal of an idea, but be mindful of your audience, as it can be perceived as informal or even rude.

Common error

Avoid using "a load of acid" in formal writing or professional communications, as it is generally considered too informal. Opt for more neutral or professional language to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a load of acid" typically functions as an idiomatic expression used to dismiss something as nonsensical, untrue, or ridiculous. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common informal usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

20%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a load of acid" is an informal expression used to dismiss something as nonsensical or untrue. While grammatically correct, according to Ludwig, its usage is best suited for casual contexts and should be avoided in formal or professional settings. Common alternatives include "a bunch of nonsense" or "a pile of rubbish". Its expressive nature makes it a potent tool for conveying disagreement, but its informality requires careful consideration of the audience and context. The phrase finds some usage in News & Media and Wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bunch of nonsense

Replaces "acid" with a more general term for meaningless talk.

a pile of rubbish

Substitutes "acid" with a common expression for something worthless or untrue.

a load of baloney

Uses a slang term for foolish or deceptive talk.

a pack of lies

Replaces "load of acid" with direct indication of deceit.

a waste of time

Focuses on the unproductive nature of something similar to something nonsensical.

complete rubbish

Emphasizes the total lack of value or truth.

utter nonsense

Highlights the absurdity of something.

pure hogwash

Employs a more colorful idiom for something ridiculous.

total drivel

Uses a stronger term to convey that something is absurd and nonsensical.

absolute poppycock

Emphasizes the absurdity of the statement

FAQs

How can I use "a load of acid" in a sentence?

You can use "a load of acid" to dismiss something as nonsensical or untrue. For example, "His explanation was just "a load of acid"; it didn't make any sense."

What's a less informal way to say "a load of acid"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider phrases like "a great deal of nonsense" or "completely untrue". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it appropriate to use "a load of acid" in academic writing?

No, "a load of acid" is generally too informal for academic writing. More appropriate alternatives would be phrases such as "unsubstantiated claims" or "fallacious reasoning".

What is the difference between ""a load of acid"" and "a load of rubbish"?

While both phrases express disbelief or dismissal, ""a load of acid"" can sometimes imply that something is confusing or mind-bendingly wrong, whereas "a load of rubbish" simply means it's untrue or worthless.