a single stick-up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single stick-up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an individual instance of robbery or theft, typically involving a confrontation with a victim. Example: "The police reported that there was a single stick-up at the convenience store last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Not a single stick-up?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You know the metaphor -- a single stick can be easily snapped, but sticks in a bundle can't be broken.

Huffington Post

Torches are made with coal and a single stick.

WikiHow

This is a stick-up.

Huffington Post

pic.twitter.com/UGiEtEIeee Ibrahimovic being Ibrahimovic, he does his best to treat this as nothing special, ostentatiously turning to the camera and sticking a single index finger up in the air.

Independent

And, by the sequel, I had just got married [to Underworld director Len Wiseman], and when you're married to a director, they're stuck making a single movie for up to two years, and it's insanely disruptive to family life.

The Guardian - Film

To signify that there had indeed been a party at Najamy's house, Jarecki offers a tracking shot of a table laden with platters of food — including a pasta salad with a single pitted black olive sticking up from it.

The New Yorker

Not a single hand went up.

The New Yorker

Not a single arm goes up.

BBC

Chris Davis knocked a single up the middle.

Los Angeles Times

I just ate a single mozzarella stick for breakfast how have you changed the world today.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting crime statistics, use "a single stick-up" to clearly indicate an isolated incident, distinguishing it from multiple or serial offenses.

Common error

Avoid using "a single stick-up" in contexts where you intend to convey a series of robberies. The phrase specifically refers to one isolated incident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single stick-up" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as the object or subject in a sentence describing a crime event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The inclusion of "single" emphasizes the isolated nature of the incident.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a single stick-up" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote an isolated robbery incident. As verified by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you intend to describe one specific instance of robbery rather than multiple incidents. Consider alternatives like "a lone robbery" or "an isolated heist" for varying degrees of formality. Although its frequency is rare, its meaning is clear and its usage is appropriate in descriptive and reporting contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lone robbery

Focuses on the act being carried out by a single perpetrator and being an isolated event.

one hold-up

Replaces "stick-up" with a more general term for robbery, maintaining the singular instance.

a solitary robbery

Highlights the singular and isolated nature of the robbery event.

an individual robbery

Focuses on the singular nature of the robbery, as opposed to multiple incidents.

an isolated heist

Replaces "stick-up" with a more sophisticated term for theft, implying planning and execution.

a singular act of robbery

Formal and emphatic way to describe a single instance of robbery.

a unique armed robbery

Emphasizes the distinct and potentially unusual characteristics of the robbery.

a one-off heist

Implies the robbery was a single, unplanned event, not part of a series.

a sole armed assault

Replaces 'stick-up' with a more explicit description of the crime, emphasizing violence.

a solo armed theft

Highlights the act of theft committed by one individual, using a more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "a single stick-up" in a sentence?

You can use "a single stick-up" to describe an isolated robbery event, for example: "The news reported "a single stick-up" at the local bank last night".

What's a less colloquial alternative to "a single stick-up"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a lone robbery" or "an isolated heist", which maintain a similar meaning but sound less informal.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a single stick-up"?

Yes, "a single stick-up" is grammatically correct. The article "a" correctly precedes the singular noun phrase "single stick-up".

How does "a single stick-up" differ from "multiple stick-ups"?

"A single stick-up" refers to one isolated incident of robbery, while "multiple stick-ups" indicates that there have been several robberies.