a total disgrace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a total disgrace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disapproval or condemnation of a situation, action, or behavior. Example: "The way the organization handled the scandal is a total disgrace to its reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It's a total disgrace," said Mr. Cool, who is retired.

The New York Times

It's a total disgrace.

The Guardian - Music

A total disgrace".

The Guardian

"This failure is a total disgrace.

The Guardian

"The test was a total disgrace," Commissioner Costello said.

The New York Times

Trump called him a "hater", a "total disgrace" and "biased".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Japanese baseball is said to have thawed somewhat when it comes to protecting the records of their own and really, I can't believe that hurlers could pitch around a hitter for 21 games without making the league look like a complete and total disgrace.

The Guardian - Sport

"The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military," Donald Trump tweeted swiftly from his flight to Hawaii on the start of a 10-day tour of Asia.

The Guardian

Beck said that he found it to be a "complete and total disgrace" that the first responders who came to the site of the attacks were not invited to the 10th anniversary memorial.

Huffington Post

"The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military," Trump tweeted shortly after the sentencing in the Bergdahl trial had concluded.

HuffPost

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Dykes described the continuing delay as an "utter and total disgrace".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a total disgrace" to express strong disapproval of actions, decisions, or situations that fall far short of acceptable standards. Be mindful of the context to ensure the intensity of the phrase aligns with the severity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a total disgrace" for minor inconveniences or trivial matters. Save this phrase for situations genuinely deserving strong condemnation to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a total disgrace" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing strong disapproval or condemnation. It often serves as a direct commentary on a perceived failure or unacceptable behavior, as evidenced by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a total disgrace" is a common expression used to convey strong disapproval or condemnation. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media sources. While versatile, it's best suited for situations genuinely deserving intense criticism to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives such as "utter disgrace" or "complete embarrassment" can offer nuanced expressions of disapproval. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations that truly warrant its intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Complete disgrace

Emphasizes the thoroughness or extent of the disgrace.

Utter disgrace

Highlights the extreme nature of the disgrace.

Absolute disgrace

Stresses the undeniable or unconditional nature of the disgrace.

Complete embarrassment

Focuses on the shame or awkwardness caused by the situation.

Utter failure

Shifts the focus to the lack of success or achievement.

Complete disaster

Emphasizes the catastrophic nature of the situation.

Absolute joke

Conveys a sense of ridicule or mockery.

Total failure

Similar to 'utter failure', but with a slightly different emphasis.

Downright shameful

Highlights the morally reprehensible nature of the situation.

Unmitigated disaster

Emphasizes the lack of any redeeming qualities in the disastrous situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a total disgrace" in a sentence?

You can use "a total disgrace" to express strong disapproval. For example, "The way they handled the situation was "a total disgrace".".

What can I say instead of "a total disgrace"?

You can use alternatives like "complete embarrassment", "utter failure", or "absolute joke" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a total disgrace" in formal writing?

While "a total disgrace" is widely understood, it can come across as quite strong. For formal writing, consider milder alternatives such as "completely unacceptable" or "highly inappropriate".

What makes something "a total disgrace"?

Something described as "a total disgrace" is considered extremely shameful, unacceptable, or morally wrong. The situation usually involves a significant failure or lapse in standards.