dangerously good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dangerously good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is exceptionally good, often with a hint of risk or excess involved. Example: "The chocolate cake was dangerously good; I couldn't stop eating it even though I knew I shouldn't."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Maths can be dangerously good fun!

The Guardian

The Italians are dangerously good at starters.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They're open during the day, too, with a more limited menu, and make dangerously good cocktails.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rat Against The Machine, a fiercely bitter, 7% keg hop-bomb, was dangerously good (pint, £5).

The Guardian - Travel

If nothing else, Synth School has produced a group of dangerously good poker players.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Created by affable mixologist Sam Dunne, they're complex and dangerously good.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It was getting dangerously near Christmas, when good weed is hard to come by, and Garrick planned to lay in a store.

The Guardian - Music

Americans thinking that America will continue to lead the world in innovation and quality of life without some quick and serious educational improvements are dangerously delusional". Good point; I'm glad somebody is thinking about these things.

HuffPost

Opponents, as ever, warned that fluoride would unnecessarily, even dangerously pollute good water.

The New York Times

Village reservoirs are dangerously full.

The New York Times

I'm a correspondent for Showtime's new series Years of Living Dangerously -- in good company with a range of other dedicated climate-change-awareness advocates, including Harrison Ford, Jessica Alba, Thomas Friedman and Don Cheadle.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dangerously good" to describe experiences or items that are exceptionally enjoyable but might lead to overindulgence or have unintended consequences. This adds a playful or slightly cautionary tone.

Common error

Avoid using "dangerously good" too frequently in your writing, as it can lose its impact. Reserve it for situations where the combination of extreme enjoyment and potential consequence is truly relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dangerously good" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It combines an adverb ("dangerously") with an adjective ("good") to emphasize the extreme positive quality of something, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dangerously good" is a concise and evocative way to describe something exceptionally appealing, often with a hint of playful warning. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts, although it's most frequently found in news and lifestyle writing. When using this phrase, consider whether the implication of potential overindulgence or risk is genuinely relevant to your message. If not, alternatives like "exceptionally appealing" or "remarkably enjoyable" may be more appropriate. Be mindful of overuse to maintain its impact. In essence, "dangerously good" is a flavorful expression best savored in moderation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally appealing

Replaces "dangerously" with "exceptionally", focusing on the high degree of attractiveness or desirability but removing the element of risk.

irresistibly tempting

Emphasizes the difficulty of resisting something, highlighting its allure but removing the element of potential harm.

delectably wicked

Highlights the pleasurable and slightly mischievous nature of something very good.

sinfully delicious

Focuses on the extreme pleasure derived from something, implying it might be indulgent or forbidden.

remarkably enjoyable

Stresses the outstanding quality of being enjoyable, replacing the sense of risk with a sense of noteworthy pleasure.

extraordinarily delightful

Similar to "remarkably enjoyable" but puts a greater emphasis on the feeling of happiness and pleasure.

stunningly impressive

Highlights the impressive nature of something, removing any sense of potential negativity.

unusually pleasurable

Emphasizes the uncommon level of enjoyment, replacing the implied risk with an indication of rarity.

exceedingly satisfying

Focuses on the feeling of fulfillment and contentment derived from something.

intensely gratifying

Highlights the deep satisfaction something provides, emphasizing the strength of the positive feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "dangerously good" in a sentence?

You can use "dangerously good" to describe something exceptionally enjoyable, but with a hint of risk or potential overindulgence. For example, "The cocktails at that bar are "dangerously good", so pace yourself."

What's a less intense alternative to "dangerously good"?

If you want to convey something is simply very good without the implication of danger or overindulgence, consider using phrases like "exceptionally good" or "remarkably enjoyable".

Is "dangerously good" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "dangerously good" is more suited for informal or creative writing. In formal contexts, opt for more neutral alternatives such as "highly satisfactory" or "extremely effective".

Can "dangerously good" be used for abstract concepts?

Yes, "dangerously good" can be applied to abstract concepts, like ideas or strategies, to suggest they are exceptionally effective but potentially risky or disruptive. For example, "His plan was "dangerously good", but it could also backfire spectacularly."