flagrant worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flagrant worry" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be interpreted as an intense or blatant concern, but the combination of "flagrant" with "worry" is unusual and may confuse readers. Example: "Her flagrant worry about the upcoming exam was evident in her constant pacing and fidgeting."

News & Media

Sports

Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Religious leaders -- on the right, worried about more flagrant sins like alcohol, tobacco and sex; on the left, concerned with promoting an attitude of tolerance and self-esteem -- de-emphasized the sins of gluttony and overconsumption.

The New York Times - Books

The lure of the vast Chinese market is strong -- money has a way of making allies -- but the worries about provoking China with too flagrant a show of independence remain real.

The New York Times - Arts

No flagrant.

The New York Times - Sports

Flagrant display of weapons.

The Washington Post

There were flagrant fouls, yes!

The New Yorker

A flagrant polluter.

The New York Times

"Not a flagrant.

The New York Times - Sports

Flagrant elbows on the basketball court.

The New York Times - Sports

"We also see flagrant displays of weapons.

The New York Times - Tech

Only one flagrant violation involved Twitter.

The New York Times - Sports

He is all about flagrant exertion.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flagrant worry", ensure the context clearly indicates that the worry is both obvious and inappropriate or excessive. Consider whether a more common phrase might better convey your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "flagrant worry" to describe mild or typical concerns. The adjective "flagrant" implies a brazen or shocking level of worry, which may not be accurate for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flagrant worry" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "flagrant" modifies the noun "worry". It aims to emphasize the conspicuous and often inappropriate nature of the worry. Ludwig indicates this phrase is grammatically acceptable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flagrant worry" is a grammatically acceptable phrase, although its usage is rare. It describes a worry that is both obvious and, potentially, inappropriate or excessive. While Ludwig marks the phrase as acceptable, it recommends using it cautiously and considering more common alternatives such as "blatant concern" or "overt anxiety" to ensure clarity and naturalness in writing. The phrase is more likely to be found in neutral contexts like news and media, but its infrequent use suggests it should be employed deliberately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blatant concern

Replaces "flagrant worry" with synonyms that emphasize the obviousness of the concern.

overt anxiety

Substitutes "worry" with "anxiety", highlighting a more intense emotional state, and "flagrant" with "overt", meaning open and not secret.

obvious apprehension

Uses "apprehension" to denote worry and "obvious" to indicate its visibility.

undisguised fear

Replaces worry with fear, emphasizing a stronger emotion, and flagrant with undisguised.

palpable unease

Expresses a feeling of discomfort that is so intense it can be sensed by others.

evident disquiet

Emphasizes the visible nature of the disturbance or anxiety.

pronounced anxiety

Highlights the significant degree of anxiety.

conspicuous concern

Indicates that the worry is easily noticeable.

marked uneasiness

Focuses on the noticeable state of being unsettled or anxious.

plain worry

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize straightforward, unconcealed worry.

FAQs

What does "flagrant" mean in the context of worry?

In the context of "flagrant worry", "flagrant" suggests that the worry is conspicuously and obviously displayed, often to an excessive or inappropriate degree. It implies the worry is blatant and cannot be ignored.

Are there alternatives to "flagrant worry" that might be more commonly used?

Yes, depending on the context, more common alternatives include "blatant concern", "obvious apprehension", or "overt anxiety". These options might sound more natural to a modern reader.

How does "flagrant worry" differ from simply saying "obvious worry"?

"Flagrant worry" implies not only that the worry is obvious, but also that it is somehow inappropriate, shocking, or excessive. "Obvious worry" simply means the worry is easily seen.

Is "flagrant worry" considered grammatically incorrect?

No, "flagrant worry" is grammatically correct, but it is an unusual collocation. While the individual words are used correctly, their combination is rare and may sound awkward or unnatural to some. Ludwig states it's acceptable, but uncommon.