despicable move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despicable move" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is considered morally reprehensible or contemptible. Example: "The decision to betray his friend for personal gain was truly a despicable move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Clegg's despicable move highlights how all three parties are twisting themselves into contorted knots, such is their desperation to look tough.

The Guardian - Opinion

The fact that Apple would make such a hostile and despicable move like this clearly shows the difference between our two companies.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was willing to do something about the children". Then, referring to counsel for the other defendants, the Attorney General was reported to have said: "This discovery is just part of the despicable legal moves the company lawyers are willing to make to slow down justice". "1.

Harvard University

Kim told a meeting of members of the ruling Workers Partyy on Friday that the country "successfully realized the historic cause of completing the state nuclear force" despite "short supply in everything and manifold difficulties and ordeals owing to the despicable anti-DPRK moves of the enemies".

Huffington Post

Universal, for example, moved the "Despicable Me" spinoff, "Minions," from December 2014 to July, a month that had worked well for "Despicable Me 2".

Los Angeles Times

Universal, for example, moved the "Despicable Me" spinoff, "Minions," from December 2014 to July, a month that had worked well for "Despicable Me 2". The switch paid off handsomely as the film has generated more than $320 million domestically.

Los Angeles Times

The consulate denounced the attack as "despicable" and demanded that the United States move quickly to find those responsible.

The New York Times

Another is they could move to dump the despicable near shakedown racket that city officials have run for years that criminalizes virtually the city entire black population.

HuffPost

It's an album that seems directly aimed at silencing those who would dare write off Wilco's continued move into adulthood as that despicable thing: "dad rock".

Los Angeles Times

Many iTunes games geared toward children, including Clash of Clans, Despicable Me 2, Smurf's Village and Spongebob Moves In, are classified as "freemium" apps, meaning the actual software is free to download but many game features require cash purchases.

HuffPost

This failed to move Judge Downey, who called Hempstead "a despicable human being" at his trial, and told him, "I hope you die in prison".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "despicable move", ensure the context clearly establishes the moral or ethical transgression being described. Avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "despicable move" in situations where the action is merely unfavorable or inconvenient, rather than genuinely morally objectionable. Overuse can dilute the phrase's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despicable move" functions as a noun phrase where 'despicable' modifies 'move', indicating the quality of the action. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes something morally reprehensible or contemptible. The examples in Ludwig show its use in contexts of betrayal and unfair actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "despicable move" is used to express strong disapproval of an action considered morally reprehensible. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage in condemning unethical behavior. While infrequent, it appears mainly in news and academic contexts. Alternatives include "reprehensible action" and "contemptible act". When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies such strong condemnation to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reprehensible action

Replaces 'despicable' with 'reprehensible' and 'move' with 'action', both suggesting strong disapproval.

contemptible act

Substitutes 'despicable' with 'contemptible' and 'move' with 'act', indicating something worthy of scorn.

outrageous deed

Replaces the original phrase with a more emphatic expression of shock and moral offense.

shameful behavior

Focuses on the conduct being disgraceful, rather than just a single action.

disgraceful conduct

Highlights the dishonorable nature of the behavior.

unforgivable transgression

Emphasizes the severity and moral wrongness of the action.

appalling decision

Replaces 'move' with 'decision' to focus on a specific choice, while 'appalling' conveys strong disapproval.

morally bankrupt action

This alternative stresses the lack of ethical principles behind the action.

deeply unethical step

This option uses 'unethical' to directly address the morality of the action, with 'step' as a softer synonym for 'move'.

blatantly immoral act

Emphasizes the obvious and unethical nature of the action.

FAQs

What does "despicable move" mean?

A "despicable move" refers to an action considered extremely contemptible, reprehensible, or morally wrong.

What are some alternatives to "despicable move"?

You can use alternatives such as "reprehensible action", "contemptible act", or "outrageous deed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How formal is the phrase "despicable move"?

The phrase "despicable move" is relatively formal and carries a strong negative connotation. It's suitable for contexts where you want to express strong disapproval or condemnation.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "despicable move"?

Use "despicable move" when describing actions that are not only unfavorable but also morally reprehensible or deeply unethical. Ensure the context warrants such a strong condemnation.