as guilty as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as guilty as a" is a valid and recognizable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean feeling guilty or having committed a wrongdoing. For example: "John knew he had gone too far and felt as guilty as a criminal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I feel as guilty as a gossip columnist should but seldom does.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hannah is particularly good at suggesting that, on occasions, a supposed victim can be just as guilty as a murderer.

Independent

Nothing could be more dangerous than when the authorities claim that a group of young people who gathered to listen to music are just as guilty as a violent gang of extremists who terrorised them.

The Guardian - Opinion

The reason for this is that audiences are judged unlikely to invest emotionally in serial killers or terrorists and may also have little understanding of the professional obligation of lawyers to mount a defence of people who often appear as guilty as a child with their hand trapped in the cookie jar.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Vinyl is as guilty as any macho prestige drama of fetishising smoking.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr. Ayers, who recently published a memoir celebrating his exploits, once described himself as "guilty as hell, free as a bird".

The New York Times

When we're winning, I'm as guilty as the next wanna-be-a-kid-again parent.

The New York Times

Then he appeared in the newspapers, accused of murder and looking as guilty as anyone does in a mug shot.

The New Yorker

Before the media started covering hackers and I am as guilty as anyone else hacking was a lonely experience.

Forbes

Youyoung Lee argues that Kanye West genuinely adores Kim, while Erin Clements says Kanye is as guilty as Kim of creating a media sensation out of their budding romance.

Huffington Post

Jaci Stephen of the Daily Mail felt that Mercedes was one of "the two sexiest people in Hollyoaks", that infidelity is part of her "family's standards", that "Mercedes all but has the word 'slapper' tattooed on her forehead and looks as guilty as the Pope in a brothel" and that it was unfortunate that Mercedes would not "disappear into the sunset at 100mph".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as guilty as a" to create vivid comparisons, such as "as guilty as a thief," to emphasize the extent of someone's culpability or feeling of guilt. This simile enhances the impact of your writing by leveraging common associations.

Common error

Avoid using "as guilty as a" in contexts where literal guilt isn't applicable. The phrase works best when there's a tangible or easily understood association with guilt. For instance, "as guilty as the sun" doesn't convey a clear meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as guilty as a" primarily functions as a simile, which is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'as' or 'like'. It intensifies the feeling or state of being guilty by associating it with a widely recognized exemplar. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this common expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as guilty as a" is a simile used to vividly express a strong sense of guilt by comparing it to a well-known example. Ludwig AI validates the phrase's grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to use it in contexts where guilt is clearly applicable to avoid confusion. Alternatives such as "equally culpable" or "just as responsible" can offer similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "as guilty as a" to enhance their descriptions and convey a strong sense of remorse or culpability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as much to blame as

Indicates a shared level of fault.

no less guilty than

Emphasizes that the guilt is not diminished.

as blameworthy as

Highlights the degree of fault or blame.

as accountable as

Stresses equal accountability for actions.

just as responsible

Emphasizes shared accountability.

bears the same guilt as

Implies bearing an equal burden of guilt.

as complicit as

Highlights involvement in a wrongdoing.

equally culpable

Focuses on shared responsibility in a more formal tone.

shares equal responsibility with

Highlights the distribution of responsibility.

held to the same standard of guilt

Focuses on the application of equal judgment.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "as guilty as a" in a sentence?

Employ "as guilty as a" to draw a parallel between someone's feeling of guilt or culpability and a well-known symbol or instance of guilt. For example, "He looked "as guilty as a" child caught with their hand in the cookie jar" vividly conveys his remorse.

What are some alternatives to "as guilty as a"?

Consider using alternatives such as "equally culpable", "just as responsible", or "as much to blame as" to express similar sentiments with slightly different nuances.

Is it grammatically correct to say "as guilty as a"?

Yes, "as guilty as a" is grammatically correct. The phrase uses the standard "as...as" construction to form a simile, comparing the degree of guilt to a specific example or scenario.

What's the difference between "as guilty as a" and "guiltier than"?

"As guilty as a" is a simile that draws a comparison to a known standard of guilt, while "guiltier than" directly implies a higher degree of guilt compared to someone or something else. For example, "He felt "as guilty as a" sinner" is comparative, whereas "He was guiltier than his accomplice" indicates a higher level of culpability.