bit of a cheek

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bit of a cheek" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal way to express that someone has done something audacious or presumptuous. Example sentence: When I asked for a free soda from the bartender, he said I had a bit of a cheek.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"That's a bit of a cheek," Tisdale says.

The Guardian - Sport

And second, whether it was OK to find the whole show a bit of a cheek.

The Guardian - Sport

So it's a bit of a cheek that he doesn't just want to be on the tailfin of a Norwegian plane but buy the low-fare airline.

The Times

She looked at what I'd written, which is a bit of a cheek seeing as it's supposed to be very private.

The Guardian

In between, she observed that the Conservative's one nation was a bit of a cheek coming from a party that had won the election by dividing the country into several nations.

The Guardian

In response to Mr Alexander's allegations, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said: "Danny Alexander has got a bit of a cheek.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Here's one of his recent posts that has garnered a fair amount of energy with a bit of a tongue in cheek tone.

Forbes

As anyone with a mobile, a laptop and a bit of cheek can be a journalist, or at least claim to be one, journalism is not a profession but a trade, craft or racket.

The Guardian

They have characterized their sweeping plan, with a bit of cheek, as a modest proposal.

The New York Times

Our album cover is a little bit of a tongue-in-cheek play on that.

Huffington Post

For me, wearing the shirt served as a bit of a 'tongue-in-cheek' public service announcement, if not a badge of honor for surviving tumultuous times.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bit of a cheek" to express mild disapproval or amusement at someone's audacity. It's most effective in informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "bit of a cheek" in formal writing or professional settings, as it can come across as unprofessional or overly casual. Opt for more formal alternatives like "presumptuous" or "audacious".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bit of a cheek" functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey mild disapproval or bemusement at someone's audacious or presumptuous behavior. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a common colloquialism.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bit of a cheek" is an idiomatic expression used to describe audacious or presumptuous behavior, often with a touch of amusement or mild disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. It's most commonly found in news and media sources, with a slightly less frequent presence in wiki articles. While grammatically sound, it's best suited for informal contexts and should be avoided in formal writing. Alternatives like "presumptuous" or "audacious" are more appropriate for professional settings. Remember, using "bit of a cheek" effectively involves understanding its informal register and applying it where a touch of mild censure or humor is fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather cheeky

Emphasizes the impudent or playful nature of the action.

somewhat audacious

Highlights the boldness and daring aspect of the action.

quite presumptuous

Focuses on the overstepping of boundaries or taking liberties.

a tad impudent

Similar to 'cheeky' but slightly more formal.

a little forward

Indicates behavior that is too bold or intrusive.

unacceptably bold

Highlights the inappropriateness and daring nature of the action.

beyond the pale

Suggests that the behavior is outside the bounds of what is acceptable.

out of line

Indicates that someone has crossed a boundary of acceptable behavior.

taking liberties

Focuses on the act of overstepping boundaries or behaving without proper permission.

overstepping the mark

Similar to 'out of line', emphasizing the exceeding of acceptable limits.

FAQs

What does "bit of a cheek" mean?

The phrase "bit of a cheek" means that someone is acting audaciously, presumptuously, or with a lack of respect.

How can I use "bit of a cheek" in a sentence?

You can use "bit of a cheek" to express mild disapproval or amusement at someone's audacity. For example: "Asking for a raise after only a month on the job is a "bit of a cheek"."

What's a more formal way to say "bit of a cheek"?

More formal alternatives to "bit of a cheek" include "presumptuous", "audacious", or "impudent".

Is "bit of a cheek" appropriate in professional settings?

While "bit of a cheek" is acceptable in informal conversations, it's generally not appropriate for professional or formal settings. Choose more professional language to avoid sounding unprofessional.