a shitty move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shitty move" is a phrase commonly heard in informal speech, but should be avoided in formal writing.
For example, "The candidate's decision to drop out of the race at the last minute was a shitty move."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Writing in caps that you are "NOT LOOKING FOR A RELATIONSHIP" is probably too much, whereas lying that you're after "someone special" with the aim of ghosting them after the first hook up is a shitty move.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For any investor who takes the time to get interested in you and evaluate your deal… to get pushed out because you were just talking to them to inflate interest is a pretty shitty move.

TechCrunch

A few years back there was an attempt to publish it, but the publishers reformatted the panels, which was a supremely shitty move.

Vice

It's been an incredibly shitty move by Southwark Council and from a business point of view, it also involves incompetence on an unprecedented scale.

Vice

Eric Hynes of The Village Voice said, "the film's charm fades fast" and, "[t]he problem with paying such dogged homage to shitty movies is that integrity is best achieved by producing a shitty movie in turn.

Wikipedia

In the shittiest move they've pulled in a long line of really, seriously shitty moves, Westboro Baptist Church have claimed they will be picketing a vigil for Sandy Hook's deceased.

Vice

"I'm just in a shitty mood.

The New Yorker

Born in Liverpool, they were probably kicked out of their houses by their parents at age 12 for being naughty and so they moved to a shitty suburb of London and formed their band.

Vice

Which is not loads, but I'd still rather not pay my pound to have a shitty future where I can't move to Madrid on a whim.

Vice

However, in a more general sense, it's simply people - both good and bad - moving away from a shitty situation and onto a better one.

Vice

"I moved my turntables in there, bought a shitty little CDJ [CD turntable], and the plan was to record mixes each week.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For more formal writing, consider substituting with alternatives like "a poor decision" or "an ill-advised action".

Common error

Avoid using "a shitty move" in professional emails, academic papers, or formal presentations. Its informal nature can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shitty move" functions as a noun phrase that expresses strong disapproval or criticism of an action. As Ludwig AI suggests, its informal nature makes it unsuitable for formal contexts. Examples show it describing actions considered unfair or incompetent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a shitty move" is an informal phrase used to express strong disapproval of an action. Ludwig AI points out that it is considered an informal phrase that should be avoided in formal writing. Given its informal and potentially offensive nature, it's best suited for casual conversation and should be avoided in professional or academic contexts. Alternatives such as "a poor decision" or "an ill-advised action" are more appropriate for formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a poor decision

This alternative is more neutral and less emotionally charged than the original phrase.

an awful act

This alternative shifts the focus to the action itself, emphasizing its negative impact.

a terrible mistake

This implies an error in judgment with potentially serious consequences.

an ill-advised action

This focuses on the lack of wisdom or foresight in the decision-making process.

a regrettable step

This sounds more formal and indicates a sense of remorse or disappointment.

a misguided effort

This emphasizes the good intentions that went awry, resulting in a negative outcome.

an unfortunate incident

This generalizes the situation, framing it as an unpleasant event without directly assigning blame.

a clumsy maneuver

This suggests a lack of skill or finesse in the execution of the action.

a questionable tactic

This is used mainly in reference to politics and military contexts where strategies are assessed.

a tactless approach

This refers to the use of bad manners.

FAQs

What does "a shitty move" mean?

It means an action that is unfair, unkind, or of poor quality. It implies disapproval and often carries a strong negative connotation.

What can I say instead of "a shitty move"?

You can use alternatives like "a poor decision", "an awful act", or "a terrible mistake", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a shitty move" in professional communication?

No, it is generally not appropriate. This phrase is considered informal and can be offensive. Opt for more professional alternatives.

How can the intensity of disapproval be expressed without using the word "shitty"?

You can adjust the intensity by choosing different adjectives. For example, "a bad move" is less intense than "an awful act".