full of teeth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "full of teeth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has many teeth, often in a literal sense, such as a tool or a creature, or metaphorically to indicate something that is aggressive or sharp. Example: "The saw was full of teeth, making it perfect for cutting through thick wood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Dave Z. had blond hair and a deadly smile full of teeth.

The New Yorker

Possum-phobes shudder at the scaly tail and elongated snout, which is full of teeth.

The New York Times

My mother was fascinated by an old man with a tray full of teeth.

Independent

In her last dream, she'd had a small black monkey, his chattering mouth full of teeth, his hair greasy.

The New Yorker

In November 1943, Klemperer is given a cigarette packet full of teeth so that one can be used to replace a missing one for his wife.

The New York Times - Books

In this homage to Alfred Jarry, the little blighters defecate, expose bottoms full of teeth, consume human flesh and shoot the audience.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

From the front it also looks futuristic, with a mouth-full-of-teeth grille that certainly doesn't seem like anything else on the road.

Forbes

As you may have heard, this year's BEA was chock full of teeth-gnashing over the impending Death of Books.

Huffington Post

There was a full complement of teeth with some specialization of bunodont molars for herbivorous diet.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I have seen people with a full set of teeth losing them.

The New York Times

The corpse had no broken bones, its skull was intact, and it had a full set of teeth.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "full of teeth" to vividly describe animals, tools, or even metaphorical concepts that possess numerous or prominent teeth, conveying aggression or sharpness. For example, "The monster had a mouth full of teeth".

Common error

Avoid using "full of teeth" when describing abstract concepts that lack a physical representation of teeth. Instead of saying "The argument was full of teeth", which sounds awkward, consider using alternatives like "incisive", "sharp", or "biting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full of teeth" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, providing information about its characteristics, specifically, the presence of numerous teeth. Ludwig provides examples such as describing animals with many teeth or tools designed with multiple cutting edges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "full of teeth" is a grammatically correct and commonly used descriptive adjective phrase that vividly portrays an image of abundance or potential danger, most frequently used in News & Media. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe animals, tools or even metaphorical concepts that possess numerous teeth, conveying aggression or sharpness. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in abstract contexts where a more precise term would be more appropriate. Alternatives include "toothed" or "teeth-filled".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a mouthful of teeth

Emphasizes the mouth as the location of the teeth, adding a visual element.

teeth-filled

Similar to "toothed" but explicitly mentions teeth; slightly more descriptive.

toothed

A single word that describes having teeth. It's a more concise way of saying "full of teeth".

with numerous teeth

Highlights the large quantity of teeth.

having many teeth

A more literal and less idiomatic way of saying "full of teeth".

densely toothed

Indicates that the teeth are packed closely together.

possessing a full set of teeth

Focuses on the completeness of the teeth, implying a healthy or normal set.

well-toothed

Suggests having teeth that are in good condition or properly developed.

armed with many teeth

Implies that the teeth are a weapon or defense mechanism.

replete with teeth

A more formal way of saying "full of teeth", emphasizing abundance.

FAQs

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

You can use "full of teeth" to describe something that has many teeth, such as "The shark's mouth was "full of teeth"" or to describe a tool with many sharp points.

What is a more concise way to say "full of teeth"?

Alternatives to "full of teeth" include "toothed" or "teeth-filled", which are both single-word adjectives that convey the same meaning.

Which is the correct usage, "full of teeth" or "full with teeth"?

"Full of teeth" is the correct and idiomatic usage. "Full with teeth" is grammatically incorrect.

How can I use "full of teeth" metaphorically?

While primarily literal, "full of teeth" can be used metaphorically to describe something aggressive or dangerous. For example, "The criticism was "full of teeth"", implying it was biting and harsh.