close to cheesy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to cheesy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is nearly overly sentimental or corny, often in a lighthearted or humorous context. Example: "The movie was entertaining, but some of the romantic scenes were close to cheesy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Despite Baryshnikov's masterly control of his material, this sudden shift into psycho-drama is close to cheesy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This all adds up to a friendly, sleepy, uncommercial island, where life seems pretty close to the cheesy local slogan – "too blessed to be stressed".

The Guardian - Travel

♪It's close to midnight and something cheesy's lurking in the dark Under the moonlight, you see a phone that almost makes you barf♪.

TechCrunch

Some adhesive materials can be close to impossible to remove and can scratch, leaving behind a cheesy, ripped appearance on some toilet seats or other surfaces.

WikiHow

Now we're usually drawn to cheesy music – reggae buskers, organ grinders, Kevin even exploded by flying too close to the speakers at a Ted Nugent gig once – but this is too much even for us.

The Guardian - Music

"Oh Man the Future" is a laundry list of predictions that brings to mind cheesy '80s pop hit "AEIOU Sometimes Y," and "Simba Simba Simba" is pretty close to a novelty song.

Los Angeles Times

Then it's on to a bar, where she's on the receiving end of a cheesy chat-up line that leads her back to a stranger's house, where she comes dangerously close to using the knifeblock.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He was given the cheesiest handball call of this World Cup on Saturday when he tried to chest a ball and it happened to hit his arm, close to his body, incurring his second yellow card of the tournament.

The New York Times - Sports

Over a cheesy, funky timpani riff, which was sampled from the Antônio Carlos Jobim Quincy Jones soundtrack album "The Adventurers," she sang, "If you ever get close to a human and human behavior, be ready, be ready, to get confused".

The New Yorker

The curry udon comes in a thick goo that is pretty close to what you find on your cutlet in Japanese curry houses, and the udon carbonara, as well as the udon gratin, are drenched in thick, cheesy cream.

Los Angeles Times

Songs are set to "cheesy synth-keyboard backing" and feature "sublimely clunky dance breaks".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to cheesy" to describe elements in media or art that almost cross the line into being overly sentimental or predictable, but still retain some charm or effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "close to cheesy" in formal or serious writing where a more nuanced or sophisticated critique is needed. It's generally better suited for lighter, more informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to cheesy" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or idea to indicate it is approaching a state of being overly sentimental or corny. It serves to temper or soften a criticism, implying the subject retains some positive qualities despite its nearness to being "cheesy", as Ludwig AI explains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to cheesy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that is bordering on being overly sentimental or corny. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for informal and neutral contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki. While not ideal for formal writing, its usage is widespread and understandable. Alternatives include "verging on cheesy" and "bordering on corny". When employing this phrase, strive to maintain a balance between humor and sensitivity, particularly in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verging on cheesy

Emphasizes the nearness to being cheesy, suggesting a slight inclination towards it.

bordering on corny

Replaces "cheesy" with "corny", indicating a similar level of triteness.

almost saccharine

Substitutes "cheesy" with "saccharine", highlighting the excessive sweetness or sentimentality.

nearing trite

Replaces "cheesy" with "trite", emphasizing the lack of originality.

approaching cliché

Indicates the phrase is becoming a common or overused expression.

on the verge of being contrived

Suggests a sense of artificiality or insincerity.

nearly melodramatic

Highlights the exaggerated emotional aspect.

almost mawkish

Replaces "cheesy" with "mawkish", emphasizing the excessive sentimentality.

akin to corniness

Emphasizes similarity to corniness, focusing on lack of sophistication.

resembling sentimentality

Highlights how it can be related to emotional excess.

FAQs

How can I use "close to cheesy" in a sentence?

You can use "close to cheesy" to describe something that almost, but not quite, reaches the point of being overly sentimental or corny. For example: "The ending of the movie was touching, but it was "close to cheesy"."

What phrases are similar to "close to cheesy"?

Similar phrases include "verging on cheesy", "bordering on corny", or "almost saccharine", all indicating something is nearly overly sentimental or trite.

Is it appropriate to use "close to cheesy" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "close to cheesy" is generally more appropriate for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider using more nuanced or sophisticated language to convey your critique.

What's the difference between "close to cheesy" and "completely cheesy"?

"Close to cheesy" implies that something is approaching being overly sentimental or corny, but hasn't quite crossed that line. "Completely cheesy" suggests that something fully embodies those qualities and is definitively sentimental or corny.