crow about

USAGE SUMMARY

"crow about" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used as a verb phrase and it means to boast or brag about something. For example, "My friend loves to crow about his success on the stock market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Personally, I don't think it's anything to crow about".

The New York Times

(There is not much to crow about, after all).

The Guardian - Opinion

"Not much to crow about," he concludes, adding that on this issue he remains pessimistic.

The New York Times - Science

"It's always a great thing to crow about," Mr. Gordon said.

The New York Times

That's enough to crow about right there.

TechCrunch

Gold Kist's IPO won't be much to crow about, despite the industry's promise.

Forbes

The wattage is nothing to crow about, but that's next on the list to improve.

TechCrunch

But Afghanistan should give us something to crow about, too.

Huffington Post

That's nothing to crow about.

University of California, Berkeley

Recycle, yes; crow about it, no.

The New York Times - Style

Buy from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.ukPHYSICISTS have a lot to crow about.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crow about" when you want to convey a sense of boastful or triumphant self-promotion. It's suitable when the subject is actively and perhaps excessively highlighting their achievements or successes.

Common error

Be mindful of the context. Overusing "crow about" can make the subject appear arrogant or insensitive. Consider using alternatives like "take pride in" or "rejoice over" when a more modest expression of satisfaction is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crow about" functions as a verb phrase, specifically an intransitive verb followed by a preposition. It describes the action of boasting or bragging. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently encountered in diverse English sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

19%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crow about" is a verb phrase signifying boastful self-promotion, as validated by Ludwig. Its grammatical function is clear, and its communicative purpose is to describe situations where individuals excessively highlight their achievements. While the register is mostly neutral, leaning towards informal, one should be mindful of the potential negative connotations of arrogance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is very common, with a high presence in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Academia". Be attentive to context to avoid misinterpretations and consider alternatives like "take pride in" when a modest expression of satisfaction is better suited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

boast about

Focuses on the act of speaking proudly about something, similar to "crow about".

brag about

Emphasizes a more arrogant or conceited form of boasting.

gloat about

Highlights taking pleasure in another's misfortune or one's own success.

rejoice over

Suggests a celebratory expression of happiness, which can sometimes border on boasting.

show off about

Implies an attempt to impress others with one's achievements or possessions.

exult in

Expresses great joy or triumph, similar to boasting but often more inwardly felt.

triumph over

Focuses on the victory itself, which may lead to someone crowing about it.

take pride in

Indicates a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, potentially leading to boasting.

sing the praises of

Highlights the act of praising something, which could be oneself or one's achievements.

pat oneself on the back for

Expresses self-congratulation, a more subtle form of "crowing about".

FAQs

How can I use "crow about" in a sentence?

You can use "crow about" to describe someone boasting or bragging about something, like "He loves to "crow about" his achievements" or "They tend to "crow about" their company's success".

What's a less boastful way to express pride than "crow about"?

Instead of "crow about", you might "take pride in", "be pleased with", or simply "celebrate" an accomplishment to avoid sounding arrogant.

Is it ever appropriate to "crow about" something?

While "crow about" often carries a negative connotation, it can be appropriate in informal settings among close friends or when playfully teasing someone. However, avoid it in professional or formal contexts where humility is valued.

What's the difference between "crow about" and "boast about"?

"Crow about" and "boast about" are very similar, but "crow about" suggests a more overt and sometimes irritating display of pride, while "boast about" is a more general term for speaking proudly.