an utter joke

USAGE SUMMARY

"an utter joke" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation that is very absurd, ridiculous, or farcical. For example, "Although we tried our hardest, the entire plan was an utter joke."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

FIFA'S "fair play" motto is an utter joke.

The New York Times

A group that was looking like an utter joke a week ago isn't quite so funny any more.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They do like him but that was a complete and utter joke.

The Guardian - Film

Scot Young, a property and telecoms magnate who claims he lost a vast fortune just as his marriage collapsed in 2006, tabled the mammoth offer in 2009 – but today claimed it was a "complete and utter joke".

Independent

I feel that the 10percentt off a car seat offer that they have offered in its place is a complete and utter joke and that Mothercare should be honouring this to its customers".

Vice

A complete joke.

University of California, Berkeley

What a complete joke.

Independent

What an utter disaster.

The New York Times

This is an utter fantasy.

The New York Times

What an utter nightmare!

The New Yorker

They are an utter failure.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an utter joke" to express strong disapproval or derision when something is completely inadequate or ridiculous. It adds emphasis compared to simply calling something a 'joke'.

Common error

While effective, relying too heavily on "an utter joke" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a complete sham" or "a total farce" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an utter joke" functions as a noun phrase complement, typically used to express strong disapproval or ridicule. It serves to categorize something as completely inadequate or absurd. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an utter joke" is a phrase used to express strong disapproval or ridicule, labeling something as completely inadequate or absurd. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct, though its frequency is rare. It appears most often in News & Media and Academia, with a neutral register. While effective for emphasis, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms like "a complete sham" to maintain variety and reader engagement. When deciding whether to use "an utter joke", consider whether the negative connotation aligns with your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete sham

Emphasizes the deceptive and misleading nature of something.

a total farce

Highlights the ridiculous and nonsensical aspects of a situation or event.

a pathetic excuse

Focuses on the inadequacy and unacceptability of something.

a ridiculous charade

Implies a deceptive and absurd pretense.

a mockery

Emphasizes the disrespectful and contemptuous nature of something.

a waste of time

Highlights the futility and lack of value in something.

a pointless exercise

Focuses on the lack of purpose and meaning in an activity.

a bad joke

Highlights the failure of something intended to be amusing.

a laughable attempt

Implies that an effort was so poor it is comical.

a travesty

Emphasizes the distortion and degradation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "an utter joke" in a sentence?

You can use "an utter joke" to describe something that is completely ridiculous, absurd, or worthless. For example, "The company's attempt at innovation was an utter joke."

What can I say instead of "an utter joke"?

You can use alternatives like "a complete sham", "a total farce", or "a pathetic excuse" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "an utter joke" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "an utter joke" carries a strong negative connotation. It's best reserved for situations where such negativity is warranted. Consider more neutral language for formal contexts.

What's the difference between "an utter joke" and "a joke"?

Adding "utter" intensifies the meaning. "A joke" simply implies something is meant to be funny. "An utter joke" suggests something is so bad it's laughable, but not in a good way.