flavor of the month

USAGE SUMMARY

"flavor of the month" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is popular at the moment but may not remain popular for long (like a certain clothing style, a food item, etc). For example: "Party dresses seem to be the flavor of the month right now, but I'm sure something else will be popular soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

City is everyone's flavor of the month.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, we're the flavor of the month.

The New Yorker

The Bundesliga is the flavor of the month.

The New York Times

"We're flavor of the month right now," Ms. Tzintzún said.

The New York Times

"For a brief moment, you're flavor of the month.

The New York Times

He added: "Now it is the flavor of the month.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The Gingrich campaign is doing what it can to avoid the flavor-of-the month distinction.

The New York Times

One flavor-of-the-month was the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning sector.

The New York Times

I don't know, more like flavor-of-the-month, New York relationships".

The New York Times - Magazine

"Mexico is not some flavor-of-the-month economy.

Forbes

My former nemesis, Ureneck, was right; the initiative was flavor-of-the-month.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flavor of the month" to describe trends, ideas, or people who are currently popular but may soon be forgotten. For example, you might say, "That new diet is just the "flavor of the month"; it won't last."

Common error

Avoid assuming that something that is the "flavor of the month" will have long-term impact or significance. This phrase implies that its popularity is fleeting, not enduring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flavor of the month" functions as a noun phrase acting as a predicate nominative or object complement. Ludwig AI confirms it is used to describe something that is currently popular but expected to soon be replaced by something else.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flavor of the month" is a commonly used idiom that describes something currently popular but unlikely to remain so for long. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, academia, and business. When using the phrase, it's important to consider its informal tone and ensure it aligns with your intended message of short-term popularity rather than lasting value. Consider using alternative phrases like "current fad" or "latest craze" if you wish to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

current fad

Focuses on the temporary nature of popularity, similar to a trend.

latest craze

Highlights the enthusiastic but possibly fleeting interest in something.

in vogue

Emphasizes the fashionable aspect of something's popularity.

the 'it' thing

Refers to something highly desirable and popular at a particular time.

popular trend

More generic and can refer to longer-lasting phenomena.

zeitgeist

Captures the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time

momentary obsession

Highlights the intense but brief focus on something.

passing fancy

Suggests a superficial and short-lived interest.

transient interest

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the attention something receives.

here today, gone tomorrow

An idiom suggesting rapid rise and fall in popularity or relevance.

FAQs

How can I use "flavor of the month" in a sentence?

You can use "flavor of the month" to describe something currently popular but expected to fade. For example, "Virtual reality gaming is the "flavor of the month", but will it sustain long-term interest?"

What's a similar phrase to "flavor of the month"?

Alternatives include "current fad", "latest craze", or "in vogue", all suggesting temporary popularity.

Is "flavor of the month" a formal or informal expression?

"Flavor of the month" is generally considered an informal expression, best suited for casual conversations or less formal writing. In formal contexts, consider more neutral alternatives.

Which is correct, "flavor of the month" or "flavor of the year"?

Both phrases are correct, but they imply different timeframes. "Flavor of the month" suggests very short-term popularity, while "flavor of the year" indicates something that has been popular for a longer, though still limited, duration.