biting remark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "biting remark" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is generally used to describe a sharp, sarcastic or hurtful comment made by someone. For example: - After being criticized by her boss in front of her colleagues, Jane couldn't resist making a biting remark about his own work ethic. - During the heated argument, Tom couldn't control his anger and let out a series of biting remarks towards his opponent. - The politician's speech was full of biting remarks aimed at his opponents, causing quite a stir in the audience.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He made a biting remark about Jon Corzine and told a good Enron story.

The New York Times

"The Daily Show" won Emmys, again, but Jon Stewart's most biting remark was a mild joke at the expense of Bob Newhart.

The New York Times - Arts

But subversive though comedy can be, let's not delude ourselves that it's a path to regime change – just remember Peter Cook's biting remark about the satirical Berlin cabarets of the 1930s, which did so much to stop the rise of Hitler.

The Guardian - Opinion

She makes a biting remark and Rust leaves, upset.

Huffington Post

This odd time lapse drew President Obama's biting remark last night about our military's lack of horses, bayonets, and the advent of "these things called aircraft carriers, where planes land on them.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It looks like one of those things dogs wear to stop them biting people," remarked one veteran Fifa-watcher.

Independent

This is a clear indication of how much his Anglican opponents had let Collins' irreverent wit, biting satire and ironical remarks get under their skin.

SEP

"The gods are pussies," Armistice remarks, after biting off one man's finger and mowing down a half dozen others with a stolen gun.

Vice

In it he remarked upon women biting "the hand that has fed [them] freedom, safety, and a voice".

Vice

I bite back the remarks about the starving in Africa.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The chatter also allows for racial taunts, though some remarks bite too hard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "biting remark" to add a layer of sharp wit or criticism to your writing, ensuring the context aligns with the intended tone. This phrase works well when describing dialogue or characterizing someone's communication style.

Common error

Avoid using "biting remark" in situations where a gentle or neutral tone is required. Its inherently negative connotation can disrupt the flow of otherwise amicable discussions or professional environments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "biting remark" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "biting" modifies the noun "remark". It describes a specific type of comment characterized by its sharp, critical, or sarcastic nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "biting remark" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a sharp, sarcastic, or critical comment. While considered "Rare" in terms of frequency according to Ludwig, it is commonly found in News & Media. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and serves to characterize a statement's tone, as indicated by the examples provided by Ludwig. When using "biting remark", it is important to consider the context and ensure it aligns with the intended tone, avoiding overuse in situations requiring neutrality. Consider alternatives like "sarcastic comment" or "caustic statement" to fine-tune the specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cutting remark

Focuses on the hurtful impact of the remark.

scathing comment

Highlights the severely critical and damaging nature of the comment.

sarcastic comment

Replaces 'biting' with 'sarcastic', focusing on the tone of the remark.

caustic statement

Substitutes 'biting' with 'caustic', highlighting the corrosive or severely critical nature of the statement.

acidic remark

Conveys a sour and unpleasant quality.

sharp retort

Replaces both words, emphasizing the quick and cutting nature of the response.

acerbic observation

Uses 'acerbic' to underscore the sour or bitter quality of the observation.

pointed criticism

Highlights the directness and focus of the critical feedback.

critical observation

Emphasizes the critical nature of the observation, though less harsh than "biting remark".

witty insult

Combines intelligence and humor with the intent to offend.

FAQs

How to use "biting remark" in a sentence?

You can use "biting remark" to describe a sharp or critical comment. For example, "Her "biting remark" silenced the room".

What can I say instead of "biting remark"?

You can use alternatives such as "sarcastic comment", "caustic statement", or "sharp retort" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "biting remark" and "critical comment"?

"Biting remark" implies a level of sharpness or sarcasm, while "critical comment" is more general and can simply mean expressing disapproval or providing feedback.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "biting remark"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the sharpness, sarcasm, or potentially hurtful nature of a comment. It's often used in narrative or descriptive writing to convey a character's personality or the tone of a conversation.