as phony as the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as phony as the" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is insincere or fake, often in a humorous or exaggerated manner. Example: "His apology was as phony as the smile on his face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But rage gets old, and even as McMahon and Hogan cash in tonight, they run the risk of looking -- even to connoisseurs of phoniness -- as phony as the violence they're hawking.

The New York Times

Well, the colors are as phony as the sound.

The New York Times - Arts

In Iraq, the strategic rationales for war terrorism and "weapons of mass destruction"—have turned out to be as phony as the Gulf of Tonkin incident.

The New Yorker

"Mr. Ratner portrays himself as a liberal do-gooder type, but this is as phony as the arena's rust," said Candace Carpentor, a spokeswoman for Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, one of the groups representing residents of the surrounding neighborhoods.

The New York Times

Ratner portrays himself as a liberal do-gooder type, but this is as phony as the arena's rust," said Candace Carpentor, a spokeswoman for Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, one of the groups representing residents of the surrounding neighborhoods.

The New York Times

In the movie "American Beauty," Annette Bening played Carolyn, the personification of Happy H.R. Set aside her bedeviled husband, and no matter what was said to her, she felt compelled to say something positive, even though it was as phony as the eyelashes she batted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Disturbed by the yoga craze in the United States, Mr. Gandhi, a self-described first-generation immigrant from a Hindu background, travels to India and discovers that the swamis desperately trying to "outguru" one another are, he says, "just as phony as those I met in America".

The New York Times

In other words, the belts are as phony as all the alphabet-soup sanctioning bodies.

The New York Times - Sports

The one thing the Brave New World Repertory Theater actors hope remains undeniably fake — as phony as Coney — is the thunderstorm at sea that opens Shakespeare's "The Tempest".

The New York Times

The story can play out in a number of ways: the Frank Capra version, in which Pete Jones exposes the suits and the yes-men for the phonies they are; the Billy Wilder version, in which he proves to be every bit as phony as they are; or the Preston Sturges version, in which everyone turns out to be both phony and sincere, or sincere precisely because they're phony, and vice versa.

The New York Times

It's as phony as a pro-wrestling bout and rematch: The first time, the villain exploits the hero's weakness; the second time, the hero figures out where his opponent is vulnerable and utilizes that knowledge.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as phony as the", ensure the comparison is easily recognizable and relatable to your audience for maximum impact. For example, "His excuse was as phony as a three-dollar bill" is more effective if most people understand the reference to a nonexistent currency.

Common error

Avoid relying on overused comparisons like "as phony as a three-dollar bill" too frequently. While effective, they can become predictable. Seek fresh, inventive comparisons to maintain reader engagement and originality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as phony as the" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to intensify the description of something by comparing its lack of authenticity to a commonly understood standard of phoniness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as phony as the" serves as a comparative tool to express disbelief or skepticism regarding the genuineness of something. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and sees common usage in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal register. When deploying this phrase, make sure your audience can relate to comparison used to drive home maximum impact. Be creative in your comparisons to avoid repetition in your writing, making it more engaging for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as fake as the

Uses "fake" instead of "phony", a more direct and common synonym for something not genuine.

as false as the

Uses "false" in place of "phony", highlighting the untruthfulness of something.

as bogus as the

Substitutes "phony" with "bogus", a more informal synonym suggesting something is counterfeit or not authentic.

as disingenuous as the

Replaces "phony" with "disingenuous", focusing on a lack of honesty or sincerity.

as deceptive as the

Replaces "phony" with "deceptive", emphasizing the misleading quality of something.

as spurious as the

Substitutes "phony" with "spurious", highlighting the invalidity or illegitimacy of something.

as artificial as the

Replaces "phony" with "artificial", focusing on the manufactured or unnatural quality.

as hypocritical as the

Replaces "phony" with "hypocritical", emphasizing a contradiction between professed beliefs and actual behavior.

as contrived as the

Substitutes "phony" with "contrived", emphasizing the deliberately created and possibly insincere nature.

as fraudulent as the

Replaces "phony" with "fraudulent", stressing the deceitful or criminal nature of the deception.

FAQs

How can I use "as phony as the" in a sentence?

You can use "as phony as the" to describe something that is not genuine or sincere. For example, "His apology was "as phony as the" arena's rust" or "The excuse was "as phony as the" day is long".

What are some alternatives to "as phony as the"?

Some alternatives to "as phony as the" include "as fake as the", "as contrived as the", or "as insincere as the", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "as phony as the" and ""as fake as the""?

"As phony as the" and ""as fake as the"" are very similar in meaning, both describing something not genuine. "Phony" might imply a greater degree of deliberate deception or pretense, while "fake" is a more general term for something not real.

When is it appropriate to use "as phony as the" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "as phony as the" in informal writing or speech when you want to express that something is insincere or inauthentic. Consider your audience and the overall tone to ensure it aligns with the context.