big thumbs up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "big thumbs up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express approval or praise for something, often in informal contexts. Example: "After reviewing the project proposal, the committee gave it a big thumbs up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Big thumbs up from the team.

The Guardian - Travel

But Khaled, in my husband's swim trunks, gave a big thumbs up, and off we went.

The New York Times - Style

Big thumbs up for Cornell Electrical and Computer Engineering department for offering a great real-world hands-on engineering course.

Cornell University

The final message of "Any Given Sunday" is one big thumbs up: Let the games begin.

The New York Times

"Overall though it 'ate sweet' and won a big thumbs up from me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By that count science gets a big thumbs up from the major parties.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

An elderly woman gave him a big thumbs-up.

The New York Times

The jury gave it a big thumbs-up.

The New York Times - Style

So I'm giving "Room" a big thumbs-up, and declaring Emma Donoghue a genius.

The New Yorker

The Budget got a big thumbs-up, from Labour and from traditional Tory voters.

The Guardian

If so, I recommend that you give a big thumbs-up to Barack Obama.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "big thumbs up" in informal contexts to express enthusiastic approval. For formal settings, consider alternatives like "strong endorsement" or "positive review".

Common error

Avoid using "big thumbs up" in formal or professional writing. It can sound unprofessional. Instead, opt for more sophisticated expressions like "positive assessment" or "strong backing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big thumbs up" functions as an idiomatic expression to convey strong approval or endorsement. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used to express approval across a range of contexts, from science to media.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "big thumbs up" is a common and generally correct way to express strong approval or endorsement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely recognized. Although suitable for informal contexts, it's important to consider more formal alternatives like "strong endorsement" or "positive assessment" in professional settings. While grammatically sound, its usage should align with the intended audience and level of formality. It appears most frequently in news and media, though also appears in Academia and Wiki.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong approval

Focuses on the level of agreement rather than a visual gesture.

enthusiastic approval

Highlights the excitement and eagerness in agreement.

positive endorsement

Emphasizes formal support or sanctioning.

hearty approval

Conveys sincerity and warmth in agreement.

high praise

Suggests a laudatory and complimentary assessment.

ringing endorsement

Indicates complete and unambiguous support.

unqualified support

Highlights that the backing is complete and without reservations.

favorable review

Typically used in the context of evaluating something like a product or service.

glowing recommendation

Used for suggesting something is particularly impressive.

resounding affirmation

Emphasizes strength and volume in expressing agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "big thumbs up" in a sentence?

You can use "big thumbs up" to express enthusiastic approval or endorsement. For example: "The team gave the new proposal a big thumbs up".

What is a more formal alternative to "big thumbs up"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "strong endorsement", "positive review", or "favorable assessment" for a more professional tone.

Is "big thumbs up" appropriate for academic writing?

No, "big thumbs up" is generally too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal language to convey approval or agreement.

What's the difference between "big thumbs up" and "strong support"?

"Big thumbs up" is an idiomatic expression indicating approval. "Strong support" is a more general and formal way of expressing endorsement or backing. The former is more casual and the later is more appropriate in professional contexts.