flagrant display

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flagrant display" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an obvious or conspicuous exhibition of something, often with a negative connotation, such as bad behavior or misconduct. Example: "The politician's flagrant display of wealth during the charity event drew criticism from the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Flagrant display of weapons.

The Washington Post

As yet, no detestable remark, no flagrant display of ignorance, no scummy business deal has dissuaded his followers.

The New Yorker

In the game two days later, the Mexican crowd, perhaps irked by this flagrant display of urination, responded by chanting 'Osama!

The Guardian - Sport

In a joint statement, House Speaker John Boehner and his counterpart in the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, accused Obama of "engaging in a flagrant display of leadership that we find deeply offensive".

The New Yorker

Mr. Liu did not blink at the flagrant display of piracy or see any incongruity in its existence at the same place where the anticorruption movie was being shown.

The New York Times

Congress has finally managed to pass a bill to restart the government and extend the debt limit, but it seemingly has no appreciation of the incredible damage to the institution done by the flagrant display of ineptitude and incivility in this latest crisis manufactured by Congress itself.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"We also see flagrant displays of weapons.

The New York Times - Tech

When meeting Afghan strongmen in their opulent palaces, our capacity to be dispassionate students of their politics was undoubtedly challenged by such flagrant displays of power.

The Washington Post

Since Election Day, Trump has managed to squander good faith and guarded hope with flagrant displays of self-indulgent tweeting, chaotic administration, willful ignorance, and ethical sludge.

The New Yorker

His son is notorious for flagrant displays of wealth; he owned a thirty-million-dollar mansion in Malibu (later confiscated by American officials) and more than a million dollars' worth of Michael Jackson memorabilia.

The New Yorker

He flunked out of Thayer Academy by flagrant displays of indolence and insolence, but prophetically translated this disgrace into a short story, "Expelled," published in The New Republic in 1930, when he was 18.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flagrant display" to describe situations where something is shown or exhibited in a shockingly obvious or conspicuous way, often indicating a disregard for norms or rules. For example, "The company's "flagrant display" of wealth during a time of layoffs was met with public outrage."

Common error

Avoid using "flagrant display" for minor or trivial situations. "Flagrant" implies a severe and shocking level of inappropriateness. Reserve it for truly egregious exhibitions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flagrant display" functions as a noun phrase, where "flagrant" modifies the noun "display". It describes an action or state of overtly showcasing something, often in a way that is shocking or offensive. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flagrant display" is a noun phrase used to describe a shockingly obvious exhibition of something, often with negative connotations. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable, commonly appearing in news and formal contexts. When using this phrase, it's best to reserve it for situations involving genuinely egregious behavior, as overusing it can diminish its impact. Alternatives like "blatant exhibition" or "outrageous demonstration" can offer subtle shifts in meaning, while still capturing the essence of an obvious and often offensive display. This phrase is deemed correct for standard grammar rules.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blatant exhibition

Replaces "flagrant" with "blatant", emphasizing the obvious and unconcealed nature of the display.

outrageous demonstration

Substitutes "display" with "demonstration" and "flagrant" with "outrageous", highlighting the shocking or offensive nature of the exhibition.

conspicuous exhibition

Uses "conspicuous" instead of "flagrant", focusing on the easily noticeable quality of the display.

brazen show

Replaces "display" with "show" and "flagrant" with "brazen", indicating boldness and lack of shame.

egregious spectacle

Replaces "display" with "spectacle" and "flagrant" with "egregious", emphasizing the shocking and outstandingly bad nature of the event.

overt manifestation

Uses "overt manifestation" to convey a more formal and explicit presentation.

prominent flaunting

Emphasizes the act of showing off in a prominent way.

ostentatious presentation

Highlights a showy and pretentious way of displaying something.

palpable demonstration

Focuses on the readily perceived or obvious nature of the demonstration.

glaring revelation

Emphasizes the obviousness and revealing nature of the display.

FAQs

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

You can use "flagrant display" to describe an obvious and often offensive exhibition. For example, "The CEO's "flagrant display" of disregard for safety regulations led to severe consequences."

What's a good alternative to "flagrant display"?

Alternatives include "blatant exhibition", "outrageous demonstration", or "conspicuous exhibition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What kind of situations is "flagrant display" suitable for?

"Flagrant display" is suitable for describing situations where there's an obvious and often offensive exhibition of something, typically indicating disregard for rules, norms, or ethical behavior. It's appropriate when emphasizing the shocking or blatant nature of the display.

Is "flagrant display" a formal or informal expression?

"Flagrant display" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for news articles, reports, and professional communication, although it may also be found in less formal contexts depending on the intent. Due its negative connotations it's suitable for argumentative formal expressions.