as real as it gets

USAGE SUMMARY

"as real as it gets" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize that something is as real or genuine as it can possibly be. For example, "I can assure you that this painting is as real as it gets."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

This is as real as it gets.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They're as real as it gets.

The Guardian - Music

It's as real as it gets now, isn't it?

The New York Times

"Divorce Hotel is as real as it gets," he says.

The New York Times

(The slogan of the U.F.C. is "As real as it gets").

The New Yorker

I think my world also is as real as it gets".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

The "performance --I hesitate to call it that, because this is as "real" as it gets--is performance --Ing.

Huffington Post

There never was a Max, it was nowhere near Kansas City, but around 40 years ago a place called Max's Kansas City was as "real" as it got.

Huffington Post

About as real as it got between the two was when Koons was discussing an artwork for a conical child's birthday party hat.

Huffington Post

It was certainly as real as it could get for the salesman, even if he had to come off the course and go through the motions at the office for a few more weeks to find out what he really was: unemployed.

Forbes

Asked if there were any scenes that he or his brother asked the network not to show, he said, "No, because we want it to be as real as it can get".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as real as it gets" to underscore the authenticity or intensity of a situation, experience, or emotion. It's effective when you want to cut through any doubt about genuineness.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "as real as it gets" excessively in formal writing or academic papers. Opt for more sophisticated or precise language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as real as it gets" functions as an idiomatic expression used for emphasis. As indicated by Ludwig, it highlights the authenticity or intensity of a situation, suggesting there's no pretense or exaggeration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

HuffPost

18%

The New York Times

7%

Less common in

Forbes

4%

Vice

4%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as real as it gets" is a common idiomatic expression used to emphasize the authenticity or intensity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While generally acceptable, it's best to avoid overuse in formal writing. Alternatives like ""as authentic as it gets"" or ""as genuine as it gets"" may be more appropriate in certain situations. The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources, reflecting its role in conveying a sense of truth and immediacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it doesn't get any more real than this

A more verbose restatement of the original phrase, for emphasis.

as authentic as it gets

Emphasizes genuineness and lack of pretense.

as genuine as it gets

Highlights the sincerity and honesty of something.

the real deal

A more informal way to say something is truly authentic.

as true as it can be

Focuses on the veracity and accuracy of something.

the genuine article

Similar to "the real deal", but slightly more formal.

utterly authentic

Emphasizes the complete and total authenticity.

absolutely genuine

Highlights the complete and unquestionable genuineness.

down-to-earth

Indicates something is practical, realistic and free from affectation.

what you see is what you get

Implies there are no hidden aspects or pretenses.

FAQs

How can I use "as real as it gets" in a sentence?

You can use "as real as it gets" to emphasize the genuineness or intensity of something. For example, "This is "as real as it gets" when it comes to experiencing true human emotion."

What are some alternatives to "as real as it gets"?

Alternatives include "as authentic as it gets", "as genuine as it gets", or "the real deal", depending on the context.

Is "as real as it gets" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "as real as it gets" might be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using a more sophisticated synonym to maintain a professional tone.

What does "as real as it gets" mean?

"As real as it gets" means that something is the most authentic or genuine it can possibly be. It's used to emphasize the truth or intensity of a situation.