catch-all phrase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch-all phrase" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a term or expression that encompasses a wide range of meanings or categories. Example: "The term 'sustainability' is often considered a catch-all phrase that includes various aspects of environmental, social, and economic responsibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Meanwhile, the community needs to stop subsuming multiple cell types under one catch-all phrase.

Nature

Plan Colombia has become a catch-all phrase for several different strategies.

The Guardian

We believe that sustainability is not necessarily shared valued; it is a broad catch-all phrase.

The Guardian

In the corporate world, she concludes, "not available" has become a lazy catch-all phrase.

The New York Times

A "All reasonable ad hoc duties" is a great catch-all phrase.

The Guardian - Money

The problem is that "international student experience" has now become a catch-all phrase.

The Guardian

A catch-all phrase for environmentally beneficial farming, sustainable agriculture has long been the province of organic enthusiasts.

The New York Times

Officials often justify the demolitions by saying the land is required for "government needs" – a catch-all phrase.

The Guardian

The "war on terror" is a catch-all phrase that can serve the interests of existing tyrannies.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Single mom is not a catch all phrase for the whole of the Black community.

Huffington Post

"Non-combat death" is a catch all phrase used to describe any death not occurring on a battlefield.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing the "catch-all phrase" in formal writing. While convenient, relying too heavily on it can make your writing appear less precise and insightful. Consider using more specific terms when appropriate.

Common error

Be cautious of using the "catch-all phrase" as a substitute for detailed analysis or understanding. While it can be a helpful starting point, ensure you delve deeper into the specific aspects and nuances of what you're describing to avoid superficial explanations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch-all phrase" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It is used to describe another noun phrase, indicating that the latter is a broad or general term that encompasses a wide range of meanings or categories. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catch-all phrase" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a term that broadly encompasses a wide range of meanings. Ludwig AI affirms its usability, noting its function as a noun phrase to characterize other terms. While versatile, writers should be mindful of overusing it and ensure clarity by providing specific examples. Related phrases include "umbrella term" and "general term". The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, academia and science contexts, with neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

umbrella term

Focuses on the idea of a term covering a variety of related concepts, similar to how an umbrella provides shelter from rain.

blanket term

Emphasizes the broad and indiscriminate application of a term, suggesting that it covers everything without specific distinction.

general term

Highlights the non-specific and widely applicable nature of a term, indicating its use for broad categorization.

inclusive phrase

Stresses the comprehensive and encompassing nature of a phrase, suggesting that it includes a wide variety of elements or aspects.

broad descriptor

Emphasizes the wide-ranging and general nature of a descriptive term.

cover-all term

Highlights the function of the term to cover many possibilities.

comprehensive label

Focuses on the term's ability to include a lot of cases or situations.

overarching concept

Suggests the term is a high-level idea that contains and dominates more specific ones.

sweeping generalization

Implies the term is so general it may lack precision and not fully reflect the nuances.

generic expression

Highlights a standard and commonplace way of referring to a wide group of cases.

FAQs

How can I use "catch-all phrase" in a sentence?

You can use "catch-all phrase" to describe a term or expression that is used to cover a wide range of things. For example: "The term 'sustainability' is often used as a "catch-all phrase" to include various aspects of environmental, social, and economic responsibility."

What are some alternatives to "catch-all phrase"?

You can use alternatives like "umbrella term", "blanket term", or "general term" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "catch-all phrase"?

It's appropriate to use "catch-all phrase" when you want to describe a term that encompasses a broad range of meanings or categories, especially when you want to acknowledge its wide applicability. However, avoid overusing it in formal writing.

What's the difference between "catch-all phrase" and "generic expression"?

"Catch-all phrase" specifically refers to a term that covers a wide range of meanings, while "generic expression" refers to a commonplace or standard way of saying something. While a "catch-all phrase" can be a "generic expression", not all "generic expression"s are "catch-all phrase"s.