a total outrage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a total outrage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disapproval or anger about a situation or event that is perceived as unjust or unacceptable. Example: "The decision to cut funding for the arts program is a total outrage that the community will not stand for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was a total outrage, one that threatened the United States economy and was likely to force grandmothers to pay more to fly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"But they just have this sense of total outrage over what Hearst and Pulitzer are doing to them.

The New York Times

"You talk of total outrage at the same time as thieves and criminals are in the Verkhovna Rada [Ukrainian parliament] and the country is headed by an oligarch who was once in Yanukoyvch's team," a reference to Ukraine's current President Petro Poroshenko, the owner of Ukraine's biggest chocolate manufacturer who held ministerial positions in previous governments.

The Guardian

All kinds of people, all different reasons, but mostly it was total outrage, anger, sorrow, everything combined, and everything just kind of ran its course.

Wikipedia

Bill McGowan is the author of Coloring the News: How Crusading for Diversity Has Corrupted American Journalism (which earned him the National Press Club Award) and Only Man Is Vile: The Tragedy of Sri Lanka, two books that have solidified his position as one of America's top intellectuals and caused total outrage in the dumb community.

Vice

Cue discontent, outrage and a total lapse of tactical discipline after the restart.

The Guardian - Sport

He can't estimate how many of those convictions are potentially wrongful, but he does say that the fact forensic dentistry was permitted in courts for so long is "an outrage" and "a total failure" of the justice system.

Vice

That little detail alone quickly turned into a total fucking shitstorm of right-wing media and political outrage.

Vice

I felt a flash of outrage at the sight, assuming the movie would culminate with a total cop-out.

Huffington Post

Trump expressed his outrage on Tuesday morning during a visit by the Ukrainian president, saying, "It's a total disgrace what happened to Otto.

Huffington Post

A total, total gift.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a total outrage" to express strong indignation or disapproval when something is deeply unfair, unjust, or shocking. It's most effective when the situation warrants a strong emotional response.

Common error

Avoid using "a total outrage" for minor inconveniences or disagreements. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a total outrage" functions as a noun phrase expressing a strong negative evaluation of a situation or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is usable in written English. The examples provided in Ludwig show its use in news articles and other contexts to convey intense disapproval.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a total outrage" is a powerful expression used to convey strong disapproval or indignation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively rare, its usage spans news media and general contexts like wikis. When using this phrase, remember it is best reserved for situations that genuinely warrant a strong emotional response, avoiding overuse in trivial contexts. Alternatives such as "a complete disgrace" or "an absolute scandal" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply outrageous

Similar to the original phrase, but replaces "total" with "simply" for a slightly different emphasis.

a complete disgrace

Emphasizes the shamefulness and unacceptability of the situation.

an absolute scandal

Highlights the shocking and morally wrong nature of the situation.

a crying shame

Focuses on the unfortunate and regrettable aspects of the situation.

utterly appalling

Stresses the horrifying and shocking nature of the situation.

absolutely unacceptable

Conveys a strong refusal to tolerate the situation.

a grave injustice

Highlights the unfair and inequitable aspects of the situation.

a travesty of justice

Suggests a mockery or perversion of fairness and legal principles.

downright infuriating

Emphasizes the anger and frustration caused by the situation.

beyond the pale

Indicates that something is completely outside the bounds of acceptable behavior.

FAQs

What does "a total outrage" mean?

The phrase "a total outrage" expresses a strong feeling of anger, shock, and disapproval towards something considered completely unacceptable or morally wrong.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a total outrage"?

Use "a total outrage" when you want to express strong indignation about something you consider deeply unfair, unjust, or shocking. It is suited for situations that genuinely evoke a sense of moral offense.

What are some alternatives to "a total outrage"?

Alternatives include "a complete disgrace", "an absolute scandal", or "a crying shame". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a total outrage" formal or informal?

"A total outrage" is generally considered neutral in terms of formality. While it's a strong expression, it can be used in both informal and formal contexts, depending on the situation and audience.