colossal waste of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "colossal waste of time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is a total or utter waste of time. For example, "My calculus class was a colossal waste of time; I learned nothing from it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

At 23, I found it a colossal waste of time, not to mention depressing.

The New York Times

The program did, however, prove to be a colossal waste of time and taxpayer money.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And the reality is, most corporate meetings are a colossal waste of time".

The New York Times

Everyone fears that an appended session will be a colossal waste of time, as many have proved to be.

The New York Times

"I'm not sure it's not a colossal waste of time and money," he said after the meeting.

The New York Times

"Don't you, at the very least, think that it was all a colossal waste of time?" I asked.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The situations of Brett Favre and Eli Manning, Exhibits 1 and 2, make for the most compelling arguments yet for eliminating these colossal wastes of time and resources.

The New York Times

While many are mourning this loss, the last flight of the space shuttle instead provides an opportunity to rethink space exploration and a time to cut our losses from a failed programme that has been a colossal waste of resources, time and creative energy.

The Guardian

Asked by moderator and newly-appointed worldwide chief creative officer at BBH, Pelle Sjoenell, about the power of brainstorms in coming up with pure and original creative ideas, Hegarty replied that they're a "colossal waste" of corporate time and (referencing the great Italian artist and inventor): "Nobody has ever said: this great idea came out of a brainstorm".

The Guardian

Helping Canadians being deemed admissible after being barred for life, in my mind, is a colossal waste of my time and my clients' money but I see it right now as the growth of my law firm.

Vice

The absence of games culture coverage on telly bothers me more than most, as I have spent the best part of three years trying to convince a fairly unreceptive crowd of TV execs that commissioning such programming isn't a colossal waste of their time.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "colossal waste of time", consider backing it up with specific reasons or examples to strengthen your argument and provide context to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "colossal waste of time" in contexts that require a neutral or objective tone. The phrase is inherently negative and can introduce bias or appear overly critical where objectivity is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "colossal waste of time" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object, to express a strong negative evaluation. It describes something deemed highly unproductive or useless, as evidenced by Ludwig examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "colossal waste of time" is a noun phrase used to strongly criticize something unproductive or useless. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially in News & Media. While generally neutral, avoid it in formal contexts where objectivity is crucial. For alternatives, consider phrases like ""huge time sink"" or ""complete misuse of time"". Use "colossal waste of time" to express disapproval, but always provide context to strengthen your claim.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Complete misuse of time

Highlights that time is not used appropriately or effectively.

Huge time sink

Emphasizes the amount of time consumed with little to no return.

Utter squandering of time

Conveys a sense of carelessly wasting time.

Unproductive activity

Focuses on the lack of output or results from the time spent.

Total loss of time

Focuses on the irretrievable aspect of the wasted time.

Fruitless effort

Highlights the lack of positive outcomes despite the effort invested.

Exercise in futility

Points out the uselessness of the activity, implying wasted time.

Pointless endeavor

Stresses the lack of purpose or value in the activity.

Dead loss

Indicates something that is completely unsuccessful and unproductive.

Sheer futility

Emphasizes the complete lack of value or purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "colossal waste of time" in a sentence?

You can use "colossal waste of time" to describe activities or situations that provide no value or yield unproductive results. For example, "Sitting in traffic is a "colossal waste of time"" or "The meeting was a "colossal waste of time" because nothing was accomplished".

What are some alternatives to "colossal waste of time"?

Alternatives to "colossal waste of time" include "huge time sink", "complete misuse of time", or "utter squandering of time", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "colossal waste of time" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "colossal waste of time" is somewhat informal due to the strong, negative emotional connotation of "colossal". In formal writing, consider using more neutral phrases like "inefficient use of time" or "unproductive activity".

What's the difference between "colossal waste of time" and "waste of resources"?

"Colossal waste of time" specifically refers to activities that are unproductive and do not make good use of time. "Waste of resources", on the other hand, is a broader term that refers to inefficient use of any type of resource, including time, money, and materials.