cheap justification for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cheap justification for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a rationale or excuse that is perceived as inadequate or lacking in substance. Example: "The company's decision to cut costs was seen as a cheap justification for laying off employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And it shows how chauvinistic men have exploited this concern — by the time of the Million Man March, it had proved to be little more than a cheap justification for sexism.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But let's say you're traveling on a budget, or you're cheap, and you'd like a literary justification for booking into a hotel where Continental breakfast means walking to the corner deli.

The New York Times - Travel

If this cheap antimalarial selects for fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria, justification for reintroduction-by combining it with resistance-reversing chemicals [ 5] or by withdrawing it until susceptibility is returned and then reintroducing it in combination with other antimalarials [ 2]-could decrease because of the great and growing need for fluoroquinolones.

BMC Infectious Diseases

For Ryback, the essence of Hitler is "a dime-store theory cobbled together from cheap, tendentious paperbacks and esoteric hardcovers, which provided the justification for a thin, calculating, bullying mendacity".

The New York Times - Books

The irony – and the compelling justification for it – is that it's cheaper to operate that way.

The Guardian - Opinion

Controlling for quality differences Chinese ships are seen as lower quality and so should be around 3.5% cheaper, even in the absence of subsidies gives a 4% gap, hardly justification for WTO rage.

The Economist

The basic justification for outsourcing government work is to get a job done better and cheaper.

The New York Times

Justification for Buying a Kindle.

The New York Times

There can be no justification for it".

The New York Times

We have no justification for it.

The New Yorker

There is no justification for terror".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cheap justification for", ensure the context clearly indicates why the justification is considered inadequate or insincere. Provide specific examples to support your assessment of its weakness.

Common error

Avoid using "cheap justification for" as a generic criticism. Always provide specific reasons and context to explain why the justification is inadequate. Otherwise, it can sound like an unsupported opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cheap justification for" functions as a critical descriptor, typically used to express disapproval or skepticism towards a stated reason or rationale. It implies the justification is not only weak but also potentially insincere or disingenuous. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness, and examples highlight its use in critical contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cheap justification for" is a critical expression used to denote a weak or insincere reason. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness, yet its usage is relatively rare and carries a negative connotation. Predominantly found in news and scientific contexts, it serves to challenge the validity of an explanation. Alternatives such as "feeble excuse for" or "lame rationale for" offer similar ways to express disapproval of a stated reason. When employing this phrase, ensure to provide specific context to support your assessment of the justification's inadequacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak excuse for

Replaces "cheap justification" with "weak excuse", focusing on the lack of strength in the explanation.

hollow justification for

Adds the adjective "hollow" to describe the justification as lacking substance or sincerity.

feeble excuse for

Replaces "justification" with "excuse", emphasizing the weakness of the rationale.

shallow reasoning for

Emphasizes the lack of depth in the provided reasoning.

lame rationale for

Substitutes "justification" with "rationale" and "cheap" with "lame", highlighting the unconvincing nature of the reasoning.

inadequate explanation for

Replaces "justification" with "explanation", highlighting the insufficiency of the reasoning provided.

poor pretext for

Uses "pretext" instead of "justification", suggesting the reason is a cover for something else.

specious argument for

Replaces "justification" with "argument", suggesting the reason is deceptively plausible but ultimately flawed.

flimsy grounds for

Uses "flimsy grounds" to suggest a lack of solid basis for the action or belief.

unconvincing reason for

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct description of the reason's inadequacy.

FAQs

How can I use "cheap justification for" in a sentence?

You can use "cheap justification for" to criticize a reason or excuse that you believe is inadequate or insincere. For example, "The company's claim of increased efficiency was just a "cheap justification for" laying off employees."

What are some alternatives to saying "cheap justification for"?

Alternatives include "weak excuse for", "lame rationale for", or "poor pretext for". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to use the phrase "cheap justification for"?

Yes, the phrase inherently carries a negative connotation, implying that the justification is not only inadequate but also possibly disingenuous. It is generally used to express disapproval or criticism.

What's the difference between a "cheap justification for" and a "valid reason for"?

A "valid reason for" is a genuine and well-supported explanation, while a "cheap justification for" is a weak, unconvincing, or insincere excuse. The former is based on sound logic and evidence, whereas the latter often lacks substance and may be used to conceal ulterior motives.