bunch of lunatics

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bunch of lunatics" is correct and usable in written English.
You can generally use it to refer to a group of people whose behaviour is chaotic or seemingly irrational. For example: "I can't believe the city council approved of this plan; they must be a bunch of lunatics!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The founders were "a bunch of lunatics, desperate mothers with young kids," said Bea Alda, 44, of Sag Harbor, a mother of five.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, McGuinness is keen to point out that he and his comrades amount to a whole lot more than "a bunch of lunatics howling around a road".

BBC

Nicola Walker commented that viewers sympathise with Slatt because he is in charge of a bunch of lunatics.

Wikipedia

President Obama signaled to the country that there was no reason to panic, and no need to give a new round of sought-after attention to a bunch of lunatics.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

How did you let a bunch of lunatic editors run amok in compiling their America's Best Colleges list?

Forbes

They heard the playwright Harold Pinter describe the United States as "a monster out of control" and a "country run by a bunch of criminal lunatics with Blair as their hired Christian thug".

The New York Times

His candidacy was supposed to be a joke -- a bunch of libertarian lunatics and college kids who probably won't even show up to vote.

Huffington Post

82% of those have come to the conclusion that a bunch of scared lunatics have taken control of the machinery of capitalism and that there's no sense to what these losers may do on any given day.

Huffington Post

While those Christian extremists (and that's exactly what they are) are a minority, they make a hell of a lot more noise than their more moderate counterparts, which puts all Christians at risk of looking like a bunch of raving lunatics.

Vice

Blisteringly scornful of self-importance — in a letter from Paris, in English, she lauded Marcel Duchamp as "the only one who has his feet on the earth, among all this bunch of coocoo lunatic sons of bitches of the surrealists" — Kahlo would surely raise her prodigious eyebrow to behold what has been made of her.

The New Yorker

In answering Laetitia's queries, Queeney is polite but wary; as it happens, Queeney regards Johnson's associates as a bunch of dolts and lunatics.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To soften the potentially offensive impact of "bunch of lunatics", use related but less abrasive phrases such as "bunch of eccentrics" or "group of unconventional thinkers".

Common error

Avoid using "bunch of lunatics" in formal or professional writing. It's too informal and carries a risk of alienating your audience. Opt for more neutral language to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bunch of lunatics" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a descriptor, often used to express disapproval or ridicule. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it typically acts as a subject complement or object complement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bunch of lunatics" is an informal noun phrase used to express a negative opinion about a group of people, suggesting they are acting irrationally or foolishly. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct but carries a potentially offensive tone, making it more suitable for informal contexts or when quoting someone else. While you might find it in news media or wiki sources, it's best to avoid it in formal or professional writing. If you need to express a similar sentiment in a more appropriate setting, consider alternatives such as "group of eccentrics" or "unconventional thinkers".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bunch of loons

Replaces "lunatics" with "loons", a synonym implying foolishness or craziness.

bunch of crazies

Substitutes "lunatics" with "crazies", a more colloquial term for people considered mentally unstable or eccentric.

lot of lunatics

Replaces "bunch" with "lot", a simple change in quantifier that doesn't significantly alter the meaning.

band of lunatics

Replaces "bunch" with "band", suggesting a more organized or cohesive group, but retaining the implication of madness.

bunch of maniacs

Replaces "lunatics" with "maniacs", emphasizing the wild and uncontrolled nature of the group.

group of crazies

Similar to "bunch of crazies", simply using "group" instead of "bunch".

bunch of kooks

Substitutes "lunatics" with "kooks", a more informal term for eccentric or unconventional people.

bunch of fools

Replaces "lunatics" with "fools", implying a lack of intelligence or sound judgment rather than mental instability.

pack of idiots

Changes both "bunch" and "lunatics" for "pack" (suggesting a group acting together) and "idiots" (implying stupidity).

collection of nutcases

Changes "bunch of lunatics" to a more informal and less direct expression.

FAQs

How can I use "bunch of lunatics" in a sentence?

You can use "bunch of lunatics" to describe a group of people acting irrationally or foolishly, such as, "I think the board of directors are a "bunch of lunatics" for approving this project".

What's a less offensive alternative to "bunch of lunatics"?

Consider using alternatives like "group of eccentrics", "collection of oddballs", or "group of unconventional thinkers" to soften the potentially harsh tone.

Is it appropriate to use "bunch of lunatics" in professional communication?

No, it's generally not appropriate. This phrase is highly informal and could be considered offensive. Opt for more professional language, such as "group making questionable decisions" or "team with unorthodox ideas".

What does "bunch of lunatics" imply?

It implies that a group of people are acting irrationally, foolishly, or in a way that lacks common sense. The phrase carries a negative connotation and can be perceived as derogatory.