flagrant attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flagrant attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a bold or blatant effort to achieve something, often with a negative connotation. Example: "The politician made a flagrant attempt to manipulate public opinion with false information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Once again, the administration has been caught in a flagrant attempt to ignore the will of Congress and unilaterally chart its own path.

The New York Times

In a flagrant attempt to compete with Internet culture, to crash books into the marketplace on hot button topics from steroids to celebrities, from political scandal to political ascension, corporate publishers aim now to meet immediate demand.

The New Yorker

Despite a flagrant attempt to curry favour with the audience by allowing the glamorous Rebekah to dominate the stage, we are again defeated by the clumsiness of the dialogue.

The Guardian

AB 612 is a flagrant attempt to stymie innovation and competition by an antiquated industry.

TechCrunch

This flagrant attempt to smear an entire industry with flawed, misinformed conclusions and fallacious, sensationalized journalism is an insult to FORBES readers.

Forbes

At the risk of being accused of a flagrant attempt to boost my tally of "hits", I suggest you read this in conjunction with that post, published in January.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Mr. Annan said any Security Council decision that finds Baghdad in "material breach" of the resolution must be based on serious or flagrant attempts to obstruct weapons inspectors.

The New York Times

In a voice mail, received on Thursday, Ann made several flagrant attempts to inflict guilt, including, "I just wish you would take a few minutes to answer my e-mail" and "I know you're busy, but I would love to talk to you when you're not working so much".

The New Yorker

End of story!" Labour's Chris Bryant said it had been "one of the most flagrant attempts at a contempt of parliament in parliament's history!" If their perjury had been in a court they would have risked seven years' imprisonment, and the way he said it made it clear that that would be just another example of soft sentencing.

The Guardian

An arc of darkness is sweeping across the face of America, and the only ray of hope that will overwhelm flagrant attempts to render democracy cold, dead and inert forever in the USA is for a pro-democratic revolution at the polls in a massive turnout of Americans demanding their right to vote.

Huffington Post

Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill said Rove's comments were part of a "flagrant and thinly veiled" attempt by the right to politicize Clinton's health.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flagrant attempt" when you want to emphasize the brazen and often unethical nature of an action. It's stronger than simply saying "attempt".

Common error

Avoid using "flagrant attempt" to describe minor or trivial actions. "Flagrant" implies a serious breach of rules, ethics, or standards. Reserve it for situations where the attempt is genuinely outrageous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flagrant attempt" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "flagrant" modifies "attempt". As seen in Ludwig, it often serves to describe an action or strategy, typically within political, business, or social contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flagrant attempt" is a potent descriptor, used to highlight actions that are not only obviously intentional but also morally questionable. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. Its primary function is to express disapproval, marking the action as a bold and often unethical endeavor. When considering alternatives, phrases like "blatant effort" or "outrageous endeavor" can offer similar meanings, though "flagrant" carries a stronger negative charge. Be mindful of its weight, reserving it for situations where the breach of ethics or standards is genuinely significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blatant effort

Focuses on the obvious and unconcealed nature of the effort, similar to "flagrant", but without necessarily implying wrongdoing.

outrageous endeavor

Highlights the shocking or unacceptable nature of the attempt.

brazen move

Emphasizes the boldness and lack of shame in the action.

shameless ploy

Underscores the lack of morality or decency in the tactic used.

conspicuous effort

Stresses how easily the effort is noticed, without necessarily implying it's wrong.

evident scheme

Highlights that the plan or design is clear and obvious.

obvious maneuver

Focuses on the tactical aspect and how easily it can be seen.

barefaced attempt

Stresses the audacity and lack of concealment of the attempt.

patent manipulation

Highlights the manipulative aspect of the attempt and its obviousness.

overt manipulation

Stresses that the effort is done openly.

FAQs

How can I use "flagrant attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "flagrant attempt" to describe actions that are clearly and obviously trying to achieve something, often in a way that is considered wrong or unethical. For example, "The politician made a "flagrant attempt" to suppress voter turnout."

What are some alternatives to "flagrant attempt"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "blatant effort", "outrageous endeavor", or "brazen move".

When is it appropriate to use "flagrant attempt"?

"Flagrant attempt" is best used when the attempt is not only obvious but also a clear violation of rules, ethics, or expected behavior. If the attempt is merely clumsy or unsuccessful, a different phrase may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "flagrant attempt" and "obvious attempt"?

While both phrases describe attempts that are easy to see, "flagrant attempt" carries a stronger connotation of wrongdoing or unethical behavior. An "obvious attempt" is simply easy to notice, while a "flagrant attempt" is offensively obvious and morally questionable.