a solid no

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a solid no" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a firm or emphatic refusal or rejection of something. Example: "When asked if he would reconsider his decision, he gave a solid no, leaving no room for doubt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I came into the room and gave Georgia a solid "No", telling her a timeout was on the cards if she didn't stop being silly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To wit, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 raked in $35m in a solid, No 1 debut that compares well enough with the September 2009 original's $30m opening weekend.

The Guardian - Film

Def Leppard's contemporaries Mötley Crüe and Bon Jovi have recently enjoyed a critical re-evaluation, and Leppard's new album Yeah!, a muscular tribute to the bands and singles that tickled their adolescent fancies, has secured a solid no 16 placing on the current Billboard Chart.

The Guardian - Music

That's not a solid "no," of course.

TechCrunch

But for a solid, no fuss business hotel, our choice is the Renaissance São Paulo, from Marriott International's luxury division.

Forbes

Harley Davidson wouldn't give a solid "no" to reports its partnership with Alta had ended but their statement to TechCrunch seems a pretty strong indication their business with the startup is in the past.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But Van Gundy laid waste to that theory on Day 1, revealing that the Knicks' strategy would not change, that they would still feature a post-oriented, ball-control offense and a solid, no-frills defense.

The New York Times - Sports

The Black and Decker 10-speed Cyclone blender is a solid, no-frills performer.

TechCrunch

They have improved at the back of late but a solid no-frills 'head it, kick it' centre-back would definitely help as well.

BBC

It is the first drive I'd consider traveling with simply because it comes in a solid, no-frills case and is powered over USB.

TechCrunch

He just needs to be a solid, no-frills leader who keeps New York in games and allows the defense to produce.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a solid no" to clearly and firmly reject a proposal, suggestion, or request, leaving no room for ambiguity or negotiation.

Common error

While "a solid no" is acceptable in many situations, it might sound too informal for very formal or academic writing. In such cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "a definite refusal" or "a categorical denial".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a solid no" functions as an emphatic rejection or firm denial. It uses the adjective "solid" to strengthen the negative response. Ludwig's examples show it in contexts where a clear and unambiguous refusal is necessary.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a solid no" is a useful way to express a firm and unambiguous rejection. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of the situation; in highly formal settings, alternatives like "a definite no" or "an emphatic no" may be more appropriate. Remember that using "a solid no" conveys certainty and closes the door to further discussion on the matter. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is commonly used but gives tips to use it appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a definite no

Replaces "solid" with "definite", emphasizing the certainty of the refusal.

an emphatic no

Substitutes "solid" with "emphatic", highlighting the strength and forcefulness of the rejection.

a resounding no

Replaces "solid" with "resounding", suggesting the refusal is clear and widely heard.

a straight no

Emphasizes the directness of the refusal.

a firm refusal

Replaces the entire phrase with a noun-based expression, focusing on the act of refusing.

a flat no

Uses "flat" to describe the "no", indicating a direct and uncomplicated refusal.

a categorical denial

Uses more formal language, replacing "no" with "denial" and "solid" with "categorical" to indicate an unambiguous rejection.

an absolute rejection

Emphasizes the completeness of the refusal by using "absolute" instead of "solid".

no way

An informal and emphatic refusal, shorter and more direct than the original phrase.

not a chance

An idiomatic expression indicating a lack of possibility or willingness.

FAQs

How can I use "a solid no" in a sentence?

You can use "a solid no" to express a firm rejection. For example, "When asked if he would reconsider, he gave "a solid no"."

What's a more formal way to say "a solid no"?

In more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "a definite no", "an emphatic no", or "a categorical denial".

Is "a solid no" appropriate for all situations?

While versatile, "a solid no" might be too informal for highly formal or professional settings. Consider your audience and the context when choosing this phrase.

What's the difference between "a solid no" and "a simple no"?

"A solid no" implies a firm, unwavering decision, whereas "a simple no" may lack the same level of conviction. The former suggests the decision is final and not open to discussion.