cup of evil

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cup of evil" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to describe something that is perceived as harmful or negative, often in a whimsical or exaggerated manner. Example: "After a long day, I poured myself a cup of evil in the form of dark chocolate, knowing it would be my guilty pleasure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A couple of years ago, North Korea won our inaugural World Cup of Evil, which rewarded teams for historical- and soccer-related evil.

Vice

A couple of years ago, North Korea won our inaugural World Cup of Evil, which rewarded teams for historical and football-related evil.

Vice

The cup of evil has overflowed.

The Economist

Firstly, some bad news: We'd just finished the trophy for the World Cup of Evil when some airport pigs decided to steal it from us.

Vice

OK, so we're all desperate to get to the knock-out rounds of The World Cup of Evil, so we've brought together the two last groups into one mega blog of ethnic cleansing, violence, and bad manners.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The officer asks for a drink and they hand him a cup of some evil-smelling shit.

Vice

Not just 'not my cup of tea' but evil.

Huffington Post

The Soviet Union was an evil empire; Osama is evil; the axis of evil is evil.

The New Yorker

Take the "problem" of evil.

The New Yorker

(Remember the axis of evil).

The New York Times

The Varieties of Evil: How to think about evil?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "cup of evil" to add a touch of dark humor or irony when describing something that is overwhelmingly negative or malicious. It's most effective when the context allows for a slightly exaggerated or whimsical tone.

Common error

Avoid using "cup of evil" in contexts that demand utmost seriousness or sensitivity. Its slightly comical nature can undermine the gravity of the situation, making it inappropriate for deeply tragic or somber discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cup of evil" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used metaphorically. Ludwig examples show it describing abstract concepts like political policies or movies, imbuing them with a sense of concentrated negativity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cup of evil" is a metaphorical noun phrase used to describe something intensely negative, wicked, or malicious. As Ludwig shows, it appears primarily in news and media contexts, often with a touch of irony or dark humor. It's grammatically correct, although not exceedingly common, and should be used with awareness of its potential to sound overly dramatic or inappropriate in highly serious settings. While it is correct and usable in English, Ludwig AI suggests considering alternatives like ""vessel of wickedness"" or ""container of malice"" for different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vessel of wickedness

Replaces "cup" with "vessel" and "evil" with "wickedness", intensifying the negative connotation.

container of malice

Substitutes "cup" with "container" and "evil" with "malice", focusing on the intent to cause harm.

source of malevolence

Shifts from a container metaphor to a source metaphor, emphasizing the origin of evil.

repository of iniquity

Employs more formal and archaic language to convey a similar concept of concentrated evil.

wellspring of depravity

Uses "wellspring" to suggest an abundant and continuous flow of evil behavior.

embodiment of wickedness

Changes the metaphor to represent someone or something that is literally embodying evil

essence of darkness

More figurative and allusive, represents the core of evil

symbol of corruption

Represents something that has been tainted by something immoral

sign of depravity

A clue that reveals or suggests a sign of moral corruption or wickedness.

fountain of sin

Shifts the image of evil to an unending font of sinful actions

FAQs

What does "cup of evil" mean?

The phrase "cup of evil" is a metaphorical expression, often used humorously or ironically, to describe something intensely negative, malicious, or wicked. It suggests a concentration or culmination of evil qualities.

How can I use "cup of evil" in a sentence?

You might say, "The politician's policies were a veritable "vessel of wickedness"", or "That movie was a "source of malevolence", filled with violence and despair."

Are there synonyms for "cup of evil"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "vessel of wickedness", "container of malice", or "source of malevolence". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is "cup of evil" a common expression?

While not extremely common, "cup of evil" is recognizable and understandable in English. Ludwig's AI reports that it has appeared in various news and media sources. However, its usage is often limited to specific contexts where a touch of irony or dark humor is appropriate.