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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
complete and utter crap
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "complete and utter crap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disapproval or disdain for something, often in informal contexts. Example: "After watching the movie, I can confidently say it was complete and utter crap."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
Complete and utter crap, of course.
News & Media
Their file system is complete and utter crap, which is scary".
News & Media
Their "checks" and "reports" are usually nothing more that complete and utter crap.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
But that doesn't mean it's not complete and utter bullshit too.
News & Media
Intrigued, we looked a little deeper and found to to be complete and utter bullshit.
News & Media
In my humble opinion, the results of this contest are complete and utter bullshit.
News & Media
That's absolute and utter crap because I never heard anybody shout.
News & Media
It's complete crap, and you should put it in a drawer and forget it.' I was furious.
News & Media
And so, my life is complete crap from here on in.
News & Media
It was complete crap".
News & Media
That's complete crap.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly warrants such a strong negative assessment. Avoid using it gratuitously or without justification.
Common error
Avoid using "complete and utter crap" too frequently, as it can diminish its impact and make your writing seem overly negative or immature. Vary your language to express disapproval in more nuanced ways.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "complete and utter crap" functions as an emphatic interjection or predicative adjective used to express strong disapproval or disgust. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a valid, though informal, way to convey that something is considered worthless or nonsensical.
Frequent in
News & Media
100%
Less common in
Science
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "complete and utter crap" is an informal expression used to convey strong disapproval or disdain. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct, though its usage is best suited for informal settings due to the vulgar nature of the word "crap". While alternatives like "total garbage" or "utter rubbish" exist, the original phrase carries a particular emphasis. Predominantly found in News & Media, it's essential to use this phrase judiciously, considering your audience and the context to avoid causing offense or appearing unprofessional.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
complete and utter rubbish
Synonymous replacement using "rubbish" instead of "crap".
total and utter rubbish
Reorders and replaces "complete" with "total".
total garbage
Replaces "crap" with a slightly more common synonym, maintaining a similar level of informality.
pure garbage
Emphasizes the worthlessness of something with "pure".
utter rubbish
Substitutes "crap" with a British English equivalent, implying something is nonsensical or untrue.
absolute tripe
Uses "tripe", a less common but equally dismissive term.
absolute nonsense
Replaces the entire phrase with a more general term for something deemed illogical or untrue.
absolute rot
A less intense but similar expression of disapproval.
utter bunk
A shorter and more colloquial way to express that something is nonsense.
complete and utter balderdash
A more emphatic and humorous alternative for dismissing something as foolish.
FAQs
What does "complete and utter crap" mean?
The phrase "complete and utter crap" is an emphatic way of saying that something is entirely worthless, nonsensical, or of very poor quality. It's a strong expression of disapproval.
When is it appropriate to use "complete and utter crap"?
It's appropriate to use "complete and utter crap" in informal settings when you want to strongly express your negative opinion about something. However, avoid using it in formal or professional contexts where such language would be considered inappropriate.
What are some alternatives to "complete and utter crap"?
You can use alternatives like "total garbage", "utter rubbish", or "absolute nonsense" to convey a similar meaning with varying degrees of intensity.
Is "complete and utter crap" grammatically correct?
Yes, "complete and utter crap" is grammatically correct, although it's an informal and somewhat vulgar expression. The structure "complete and utter" is used for emphasis.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested