a small vacation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small vacation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a brief or short holiday or break from regular activities. Example: "After a hectic few months at work, I decided to take a small vacation to recharge my batteries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

We went to Odessa just to have a small vacation".

The New York Times

It was like a small vacation from my vacation.

The New York Times - Travel

They have a small vacation house by the sea in Cornwall, where Teresa spent summers when she was growing up.

The New Yorker

He had a small vacation house outside of Moscow, and drove himself around town in a Volvo, Mr. Prelin said.

The New York Times

The Web site Frenchfeast.com, based in New York, is taking a small vacation, too, but it is offering a 10percentt discount on orders placed on the Internet through Aug. 2. Items will be shipped after that date.

The New York Times - Food

I recently went on a small vacation to Rome, without my ex-girlfriend (because she's my ex-girlfriend) but with my cousin, who likes to take pictures of buildings.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

We'll soon be going on a small cruise vacation with fewer than 50 passengers, and the question will undoubtedly come up, "So what do you do for a living?" My husband is already embarrassed.

The New York Times

After Speer, Sr., was released from prison, Speer, Jr., showed him one of the first buildings he had designed: a small wooden vacation home that he had built himself on the edge of a lake near Munich.

The New Yorker

Lucy and her family headed to Costa Rica's Central Valley, renting a bungalow in a small, gated vacation park.

Huffington Post

Another alternative is making an IOU for something you know the whole family really wants to do, or a small family vacation to be taken later.

WikiHow

Last year, Kay Sullivan, a retired executive search consultant in Tucson, lent a buyer nearly all of the $25,000 needed to buy her small vacation cabin in West Virginia, charging 10percentt interest over 10 years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the purpose of "a small vacation", be specific about what activities will be undertaken to make the break more vivid for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a small vacation" when you actually mean a small property used for vacations. Ensure the context clearly indicates you're referring to the duration of a trip, not the size of a house.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small vacation" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It refers to a short period of time dedicated to leisure and rest, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples where people "went on a small vacation" or "made some time for a small vacation".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

18%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small vacation" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a short break or holiday. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, primarily in news and media, as well as on general information sites like WikiHow. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for general use, with alternatives like "a short trip" or "a brief getaway" available for similar meanings. Be mindful to differentiate the concept from the idea of "a small vacation home" to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short trip

Focuses on the brevity of the journey.

a brief getaway

Emphasizes escaping from routine for a short period.

a mini-break

Highlights the reduced scale and duration of the vacation.

a quick holiday

Stresses the speed and limited time of the holiday.

a short holiday

Alternative more common in British English.

a weekend escape

Highlights a break taken specifically during the weekend.

a day trip

Focuses on a journey completed within a single day.

a short sojourn

Uses a more formal word for a temporary stay.

a little time off

Focuses on the break from work or regular duties.

a brief respite

Highlights the break as a period of rest and relief.

FAQs

What's a good substitute for "a small vacation"?

Consider using alternatives like "a short trip", "a brief getaway", or "a mini-break" to convey the idea of a brief period of rest and relaxation.

How do I use "a small vacation" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a short break from work or routine, such as, "After months of hard work, I needed to take "a small vacation" to recharge."

Is there a difference between "a small vacation" and "a long vacation"?

Yes, "a small vacation" implies a short duration, usually a few days or a week at most, while "a long vacation" suggests a more extended period, often several weeks or even months.

Can "a small vacation" be used in formal writing?

While acceptable, more formal alternatives like "a brief respite" or "a short sojourn" might be preferred in academic or business contexts.