full of holes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "full of holes" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used figuratively to describe something that is flawed, unreliable, or incomplete. For example: "His alibi was full of holes and the police soon found out the truth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's full of holes".

The New York Times - Magazine

Except it's full of holes".

The New Yorker

The hospital shot full of holes".

The New York Times

We were full of holes.

The New York Times - Sports

Reality, it seems, is full of holes.

The New Yorker

Our borders are full of holes.

The New York Times

My CV was full of holes.

The Guardian - Film

But Iran's nuclear story was full of holes.

The Economist

"It won't help," answered the other, "it's full of holes".

Encyclopedia Britannica

"And anyway," he concludes, "they're full of holes".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

MR: Well, guys, congratulations on all your success and the new album, Sky Full Of Holes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "full of holes" figuratively, ensure the context makes it clear whether you're referring to logical inconsistencies, physical damage, or some other form of incompleteness. For instance, "The argument was full of holes" implies logical flaws.

Common error

Avoid using "full of holes" in contexts where a more precise term would be appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The sieve was full of holes", which is redundant, simply state "The sieve had holes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full of holes" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. Ludwig examples show it describing physical objects (e.g., "the bucket was full of holes") and abstract concepts (e.g., "the argument was full of holes").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "full of holes" is a versatile expression used to describe both literal and figurative imperfections. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It frequently appears in News & Media contexts, conveying that something is incomplete, damaged, or flawed. Related phrases include "riddled with errors" and "flawed". A key writing tip is to ensure context clarifies the intended meaning (physical damage vs logical inconsistencies). When writing with the phrase "full of holes", remember not to take this phrase so literally in some cases, as it will not make sense. Remember not to substitute for more precise terms. The term “full of holes” is very common and understood by all.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

riddled with errors

Focuses on errors rather than physical holes, implying inaccuracy.

flawed

Highlights imperfections or defects, a more general term for being "full of holes".

incomplete

Emphasizes the lack of completeness, suggesting something is missing.

vulnerable

Stresses susceptibility to attack or damage, a potential consequence of having "holes".

defective

Points to a fault in design or construction, akin to having holes where something should be solid.

unreliable

Implies a lack of dependability, stemming from the presence of flaws or weaknesses.

weak

Indicates a lack of strength or solidity, similar to being "full of holes".

permeable

Describes something that allows things to pass through, like a material with many holes.

shot through

Suggests penetration and damage, similar to something being "full of holes" from gunshots.

patchy

Describes something uneven or inconsistent, with gaps or missing parts.

FAQs

How can I use "full of holes" in a sentence?

You can use "full of holes" to describe something that is literally perforated or figuratively flawed. For example, "The bucket was "full of holes"", or "His argument was "full of holes"".

What's an alternative to saying something is "full of holes"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "riddled with errors", "flawed", or "incomplete".

Is it better to say "full of holes" or "has many holes"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "full of holes" often carries a stronger connotation of something being defective or problematic, while "has many holes" is more neutral.

Can "full of holes" be used to describe a person's memory?

Yes, "full of holes" can describe a memory that is fragmented or has significant gaps, implying that it is unreliable or incomplete. For example, "His memory of the event was "full of holes"".