appalling idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appalling idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong disapproval or shock regarding a suggestion or concept. Example: "The proposal to cut funding for education is an appalling idea that will have long-term negative effects on our society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Yet that is an appalling idea.

The Guardian

"I think it is an appalling idea [the tribunal]... absolutely appalling," he said.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the dessert menu, tempura ice cream, an appalling idea, is executed entirely without finesse.

The New York Times

Mr. Cowell's brother Tony, a broadcast journalist, said replacing him with a "Simon sound-alike" was an "appalling idea".

The New York Times - Arts

The mention of a charter of rights or a human rights act produces florid denunciations of such an appalling idea.

The Guardian - Opinion

Audio purists found this an appalling idea, because it put the balances in the hands of the producer rather than the conductor.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

How did Gingrich end up with these appalling ideas?

Huffington Post

But however easy it is to dispense with the appalling ideas of the right, it is all the more disconcerting that they are the ones even approaching a real debate.

HuffPost

Not surprisingly, gun absolutists find this idea appalling.

The New York Times

Finally, the specious comparison may make us recall the children still trapped in Sarajevo, and suddenly the popularity of Miss Filipovic's book seems as appalling as the idea of Anne Frank's diary becoming an international best seller while its author -- or a classmate -- was still hiding in that attic.

The New York Times - Books

What I find appalling is the idea that any organization would promote voting either for or against any proposal without carefully considering each issue on its own merits.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appalling idea" to express strong disapproval or shock. Ensure the context aligns with the severity of the sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using "appalling idea" in contexts where a milder expression of disagreement would be more appropriate. Save it for situations that genuinely evoke strong negative feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appalling idea" functions as a subjective expression of strong disapproval or negative evaluation. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, highlighting its effectiveness in conveying intense dislike or shock toward a particular concept.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Opinion

25%

Books

13%

Less common in

Sport

6%

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appalling idea" is a potent way to express strong disapproval or shock, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and commonly used in news, opinion pieces, and literature to convey intense dislike. While alternatives like "terrible notion" or "awful concept" exist, "appalling idea" carries a stronger emotional weight. Use it judiciously, reserving it for situations that genuinely warrant such a strong negative reaction. Overusing it in milder contexts can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible notion

Emphasizes the negativity of the idea itself.

awful concept

Focuses on the unpleasant or disagreeable nature of the concept.

dreadful plan

Highlights the potential for negative outcomes associated with the plan.

horrendous proposition

Implies a shocking or outrageous suggestion.

outrageous suggestion

Stresses the unacceptability and offensiveness of the suggestion.

unacceptable proposal

Indicates that the proposal does not meet required standards or is not permissible.

shocking scheme

Highlights the surprising and disturbing nature of the scheme.

abominable thought

Suggests a repulsive or loathsome idea.

distasteful concept

Focuses on the unpleasant or offensive nature of the concept.

repugnant scheme

Emphasizes the extremely unpleasant and unacceptable nature of the scheme.

FAQs

How can I use "appalling idea" in a sentence?

You can use "appalling idea" to express strong disapproval. For example: "The suggestion to cut funding for education is an "appalling idea"."

What are some alternatives to "appalling idea"?

Alternatives include "terrible notion", "awful concept", or "dreadful plan", each varying slightly in intensity.

Is it correct to use "appalling idea" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase "appalling idea" is appropriate for formal writing when expressing strong disapproval. However, ensure that the tone matches the context.

What makes "appalling idea" different from "bad idea"?

"Appalling idea" is significantly stronger and expresses a sense of shock or disgust, whereas "bad idea" is a more general and milder expression of disapproval.