a low thing

USAGE SUMMARY

'a low thing' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an act that is immoral or unethical. For example: "It was a low thing for him to do, taking advantage of a vulnerable person like that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was a low thing to do.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Perhaps no American novel explored the cruelty and chaos underneath the received wisdoms of country life better than Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ("That's just the way: a person does a low-down thing, and then he don't want to take no consequence of it").

The Guardian - Books

CONSCIENCE That's just the way: a person does a low-down thing, and then he don't want to take no consequences of it.

Huffington Post

Over the years, Kureishi has "pulled off a high-low thing," says Robert McCrum, a former literary editor of The Observer in London who edited Kureishi at Faber & Faber in the 1980s.

The New York Times - Magazine

Come on, it's an homage to those old Coppertone ads!" It's a high-low thing.

The New York Times

It's a high-low thing".

The New York Times

It is the country's unusually long tail of educational under-achievement.Fortunately, from such a low ebb things can surely only get better.

The Economist

She would do some poems and then we would play a few standards — 'Speak Low,' things like that.

The New Yorker

Giving the bro-force some nice, educated, single, white female to protect is the lowest of low things a lady can do, and while it was maybe, depending on her immediate threat level, OK to report him, it would have been far righter to fight back, to go Foxfire on the guy.

Vice

Giving the bro-force some nice, educated, single, white female to protect is the lowest of low things a lady can do, and while it was maybe, depending on her immediate threat level, okay to report him, it would have been far righter to fight back, to go Foxfire on the guy.

Vice

I'd spent the previous sixth months losing 20 pounds on a low-carb thing I was doing.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action as "a low thing", ensure that the context clearly establishes the ethical or moral transgression. This phrase carries a strong negative connotation and should be used judiciously.

Common error

Avoid using "a low thing" in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, the phrase carries an informal and somewhat colloquial tone that may not be appropriate for scholarly discourse. Opt for more precise and professional language to convey your meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a low thing" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a subjective complement, describing an action or behavior as immoral or unethical. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage. The example provided shows it being used to express disapproval of someone's actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a low thing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an action as immoral, unethical, or dishonorable. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct in written English, although it is not overly common. The phrase is typically found in news and media contexts, serving to express disapproval or moral judgment. While appropriate for general use, it is advisable to avoid it in highly formal or academic writing, opting for more precise language. Consider alternatives like "a despicable deed" or "a dishonorable act" when a more elevated tone is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A dishonorable act

Directly states the action lacks honor.

A base action

Employs 'base' as a synonym for 'low', stressing the lack of moral principles.

A despicable deed

Uses 'despicable' instead of 'low', highlighting the repulsiveness of the action.

A dirty move

Uses 'dirty' to convey the unethical nature of the action.

A contemptible act

Replaces 'low' with 'contemptible', emphasizing the deserving of scorn.

A sleazy tactic

Replaces thing with tactic implying underhandedness.

A mean spirited act

Focuses on the malicious intention behind the act.

An ignoble thing to do

Substitutes 'low' with 'ignoble', indicating a lack of honor or dignity.

A shabby stunt

Implies something done poorly and dishonorably.

A cheap trick

Replaces 'thing' with 'trick', implying deception and lack of value.

FAQs

What does it mean to describe something as "a low thing"?

To describe something as "a low thing" means that it is considered immoral, unethical, or dishonorable. It implies that the action or behavior is reprehensible and deserving of criticism.

What can I say instead of "a low thing" to describe an action?

You can use alternatives such as "a contemptible act", "a despicable deed", or "a dishonorable act" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "a low thing" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a low thing" is generally considered informal. It's better suited for casual conversation or less formal writing. For professional or academic contexts, consider using more precise or elevated language.

How does "a low thing" differ from "a bad thing"?

"A bad thing" is a general term for something undesirable or unfortunate. "A low thing" specifically implies that the action is morally reprehensible or unethical, carrying a stronger negative judgment.