bunch of nuts

USAGE SUMMARY

"bunch of nuts" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used figuratively to mean a group of people that are considered foolish or crazy. For example, you might say, "That bunch of nuts in the office thinks they can take a two-week vacation and still complete the project in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I'm with a bunch of nuts".

The New York Times - Sports

Wow, what a bunch of nuts most of you people at Princeton are.

Princeton University

Beck told Antonio, "When I was growing up, the John Birch Society — I thought they were a bunch of nuts".

The New Yorker

But in 1967, Julius Boros, twice a US Open champion, won the Phoenix Open with a Ping putter and said: "It looks like a bunch of nuts and bolts welded together, but the ball goes into the hole".

The Guardian

A few minutes later, he found out why – someone had replaced the innards with a bunch of nuts and bolts hotglued into the case.

TechCrunch

"There's a bunch of nuts out here, and they're coming in when you're sleeping.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It wasn't just a bunch of nut cases who elected Mrs. O'Donnell or whatever her name is, it was that they were so angry".

The New Yorker

Brown, for her part, went from ridiculing women's-libbers as "a bunch of nut-burgers" in her editor's letter to publishing an excerpt from Kate Millett's landmark feminist manifesto Sexual Politics in 1969.

The Guardian - Books

They seem like a bunch of nut jobs". "I get what I am.

Los Angeles Times

Flat Earth Indonesia dismisses the Flat Earth Society as a bunch of nut cases too obsessed with old NASA conspiracy theories.

Vice

It's easy to dismiss UFOlogists as a bunch of nut bags, but when 40 individuals with credentials as impressive as Paul's are speaking about extraterrestrials visiting Earth, it's worth digging a little deeper.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance your writing by replacing overused phrases with alternatives. For instance, swap "bunch of nuts" for more descriptive terms like "group of eccentrics" or "collection of oddballs" to refine your tone.

Common error

Avoid using "bunch of nuts" in formal writing or professional settings. It's too informal and can undermine your credibility. Opt for phrases with a more neutral tone, such as "group of unconventional thinkers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bunch of nuts" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as a subjective complement or appositive. It modifies a noun or pronoun to describe a group of people, often in a derogatory or humorous way. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's generally used to label a group as foolish or crazy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bunch of nuts" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that typically describes a group of people considered foolish or crazy. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to note its informal nature and potential to cause offense. Therefore, it's best used in casual contexts and avoided in formal or professional settings. Alternative phrases like "group of eccentrics" or "collection of oddballs" offer safer, more neutral options. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Academia and Wiki and as a reminder, be mindful of your audience and adjust your language accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

band of crazies

Uses "crazies" instead of "nuts", maintaining the informal and slightly derogatory tone.

consortium of loonies

Replaces "nuts" with "loonies", maintaining a similar level of informality and negative connotation.

assembly of crackpots

Substitutes "nuts" with the more forceful term "crackpots", implying slightly more outlandish behavior.

clutch of kooks

Employs "kooks" as a substitute for "nuts", conveying a similar sense of strangeness and eccentricity.

group of oddballs

Replaces "nuts" with "oddballs", softening the negative connotation while still implying eccentricity.

crowd of weirdos

Uses "weirdos" to describe the group, focusing on their strange or unconventional nature.

selection of screwballs

Uses "screwballs" to describe the group, indicating quirky or unconventional personalities.

collection of eccentrics

Substitutes "bunch of nuts" with a more neutral term, focusing on the unusual nature of the group.

pack of fools

Replaces "nuts" with "fools", emphasizing lack of intelligence or sound judgment.

troupe of zanies

Implies a sense of lighthearted silliness and unconventional behavior, swapping negative feelings with a lighter expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "bunch of nuts" to describe a group of people you consider foolish or eccentric. For example, "That bunch of nuts thinks they can finish the project in a week."

What is a less offensive way to say "bunch of nuts"?

Consider alternatives such as "group of eccentrics", "collection of oddballs", or "unconventional group" to avoid causing offense.

Is "bunch of nuts" considered slang?

Yes, "bunch of nuts" is an informal expression that can be considered slang. It's best used in casual conversation rather than formal writing.

What's the difference between "bunch of nuts" and "group of experts"?

"Bunch of nuts" implies foolishness or irrationality, while "group of experts" describes a team of highly knowledgeable individuals. They have opposite connotations.