bordering on assault

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bordering on assault" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe behavior that is very close to being considered assault, often in a figurative sense. Example: "His aggressive approach during the argument was bordering on assault, making everyone in the room uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I thought it was bordering on assault on Gerrard".

BBC

Brendan Rodgers said Mousa Dembele's challenge on Steven Gerrard in the penalty area was "bordering on assault" during the 2-1 defeat aTottenhamam.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The way Richard sees it, this latest assault on the Qataris is "bordering on hysteria and racism".

The Guardian - Sport

Bordering on?

The Guardian - Sport

This is bordering on abuse.

The New York Times

We are bordering on insanity".

The New Yorker

Only a few, including myself, came forward to report our personal experiences with the accused -- situations we had found ourselves in that bordered on sexual harassment and assault.

Huffington Post

"Richard bordered on that.

The New Yorker

It bordered on masochism.

The New York Times - Arts

Some bordered on the absurd.

The New York Times - Sports

Some bordered on the gruesome.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bordering on assault" to describe situations where an action or behavior is aggressive and close to being legally or ethically defined as assault, but does not fully meet the criteria. It is often used to express strong disapproval or concern.

Common error

Avoid using "bordering on assault" to describe trivial or humorous situations. This phrase carries a serious connotation and should be reserved for contexts where the behavior genuinely approaches the severity of assault, to avoid hyperbole and maintain appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bordering on assault" functions as a descriptive qualifier, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that an action or behavior is closely approaching the severity or nature of a physical or verbal assault. This description aligns with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bordering on assault" is a descriptive qualifier used to express that something is close to being a physical or verbal assault. Ludwig shows that it's grammatically correct and primarily used in News & Media contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the context aligns with its serious connotation, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. As the expert rating suggests, the phrase is well-regarded for its accuracy and usage in proper contexts. As there are many possibilities that are semantically similar to "bordering on assault", you can select one of the alternatives provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verging on assault

Changes "bordering" to "verging", indicating a slightly stronger inclination towards being assault.

on the verge of assault

Synonymous to 'verging on assault' emphasizing a critical threshold being approached.

almost assault

A simpler way to express that something nearly constitutes assault.

approaching assault

Replaces "bordering on" with "approaching", suggesting the action is nearing the point of being assault.

close to being assault

More descriptive, specifying the nearness to the act of assault.

just short of assault

Emphasizes that the action stopped right before becoming assault.

tantamount to assault

Indicates the action is equivalent to assault in its effect or severity.

practically assault

Highlights the practical effect is that of an assault even if technically not one.

akin to assault

Suggests a similarity to assault but not necessarily reaching the level of a full assault.

resembling assault

Implies a resemblance to assault, focusing on the appearance or characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "bordering on assault" in a sentence?

You can use "bordering on assault" to describe behavior that is aggressive and nearly an assault. For example: "His aggressive behavior during the meeting was "bordering on assault", making other colleagues uncomfortable."

What's a less formal way to say "bordering on assault"?

Less formal ways to express a similar idea include "almost an assault" or "close to being assault". These alternatives convey the proximity to assault without the same level of legal implication.

What are some synonyms for "bordering on assault"?

Synonyms include "verging on assault", "approaching assault", or "tantamount to assault", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "bordering on assault"?

It's appropriate to use "bordering on assault" when describing conduct that is aggressively close to being assault, either physically or verbally. It implies the behavior is serious and potentially harmful but does not fully meet the legal definition of assault.