barrel load

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barrel load" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large quantity of something. For example, "He had a barrel load of apples to give away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At last British sports men and women were deemed to be competitive, with the prospect of a barrel load of gold medals for years to come.

The Guardian - Sport

Given that the man who makes that judgment, DeWall, is a child-abducting meth cook who later manages to blow himself up into small chunks, the temptation might be to take his words with a barrel load of salt.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He stole the show in Magnolia – counteracting the brash Tom Cruise with intense sensitivity; was magnificent in The Master – balancing barrel loads of arrogance and charisma with intellectual vacancy on a razor-sharp knife's edge; and was at once brilliantly complex and tragically fragile in Capote".

The Guardian - Film

It has packed barrel loads of features into this game, from being able to choose to play as a man or a woman to some cool cybernetic cores – Control, Martial or Chaos – each of which are enhanceable and have differing effects as you do battle.

Independent

It is possible that manual material handling was decreased due to the decreased volume of chemical used; barrel loading and decanting tasks became less frequent with the new chemicals.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

The future can be a barrel-load of fun.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He improved a barrel-load for his debut to win a Beverley maiden, rewarding significant support and looking as though he would improve again.

The Guardian - Sport

The new trailer sees an all-action Everdeen preparing for her final assault on the enemy, armed with only a souped-up bow and arrow, and a barrel-load of rousing, revolutionary rhetoric.

The Guardian - Film

There are cigarettes, quantities of liquor, a brace of pretty twins and a barrel-load of prejudices: "Work had never previously taken him to the Middle East, and for this he was thankful.

The Economist

France may still be in with a distant chance of winning the Six Nations championship should they beat England on Saturday, if Wales and Ireland have already lost their games, but they must also score a barrel-load of points in the process.

The Guardian - Sport

Duff and McAvoy were offered barrel-loads of work and left reluctantly after two series.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barrel load" when you want to emphasize a large, almost overwhelming quantity of something. It's more evocative than simply saying "a lot".

Common error

While "barrel load" is acceptable, avoid stacking too many metaphors in a single sentence. Overuse can dilute the impact and make your writing seem cluttered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barrel load" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifying another noun. It indicates a large quantity or amount of something. Ludwig AI affirms this through its examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barrel load" is a noun phrase used to describe a large quantity or amount of something. It's grammatically correct but considered relatively informal, as confirmed by Ludwig. While understood in various contexts, more formal alternatives like "substantial quantity" or "considerable volume" are preferable in professional or academic settings. Ludwig's examples indicate its usage to emphasize abundance. Though correct, consider the audience and context to decide if a more descriptive or literal term would be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large quantity

Replaces the metaphorical "barrel" with a more direct term for amount.

great amount

Similar to "large quantity" but emphasizes the magnitude.

considerable volume

Focuses on the amount in terms of volume rather than count.

substantial quantity

Highlights that the quantity is significant and noteworthy.

copious amount

Implies an abundant or plentiful quantity.

abundance

A noun referring to a plentiful supply or amount of something.

profusion

Emphasizes the lavish or extravagant nature of the quantity.

plethora

Indicates an excessive or overabundant quantity.

vast quantity

Emphasizes the immensity or extensiveness of the amount.

mountain of

Uses a metaphor to describe a very large accumulation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "barrel load" in a sentence?

You can use "barrel load" to describe a large quantity of something, as in "He received a "barrel load" of fan mail after his performance".

What's a more formal alternative to "barrel load"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "substantial quantity" or "significant amount" instead of "barrel load".

Is it appropriate to use "barrel load" in professional writing?

While understandable, "barrel load" is generally considered informal. Opt for phrases like "considerable volume" or "copious amount" in professional contexts.

What is the origin of the phrase "barrel load"?

The phrase "barrel load" likely originates from the physical act of filling a barrel with goods, implying a substantial amount that fills a large container.