great flattery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great flattery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is expressing excessive praise or compliments, often in a way that may not be entirely sincere. Example: "While I appreciate the compliments, I must admit that the great flattery makes me feel a bit uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That's not a mean achievement and it's a great flattery to me.

The Guardian

"We take it as great flattery that a lot of other channels have watched our success" and wanted to give it a try.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That would be the greatest flattery anyone could say to me.

The New York Times

The greatest flattery I get is when a guy tells me, 'I waited for the commercials to pump my gas.' " He added, "When Davis Love III's mother said last year that she listened all the way up on Thursday before watching her son play, that was pretty cool".

The New York Times - Sports

After all, being admired is the greatest flattery of all.

Huffington Post

Mr. Shapiro's answer involved a great deal of flattery.

The New York Times

And a great deal of flattery he must endure, or enjoy.

The New York Times - Magazine

He began by hurling great dollops of flattery at them, saluting their compassion, their fearlessness in tackling hard issues, their energy in furthering the interests of British society.

The Guardian

Letting her know that you think her ideas are important is a great form of flattery.

WikiHow

They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

Independent

“Imitation is the greatest form of flattery,” said a Netanyahu adviser.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great flattery" when you want to emphasize the magnitude or excessiveness of the flattery being given. It suggests a level of praise that might be perceived as insincere or manipulative.

Common error

Avoid using "great flattery" when you mean to express sincere admiration. The phrase often carries a connotation of insincerity or manipulation, so reserve it for situations where the praise is exaggerated or suspicious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great flattery" functions as a noun phrase, where "great" modifies the noun "flattery". The phrase typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the act or instance of flattery. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great flattery" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe excessive praise that often carries an implication of insincerity or manipulation. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it serves to critically observe situations involving exaggerated praise. While the phrase is usable, it's important to be aware of its potential negative connotation and to choose alternative phrases like "lavish praise" or "sincere admiration" when intending to express genuine appreciation. Understanding these nuances can help you use "great flattery" effectively and avoid misinterpretations in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive adulation

Focuses on the extreme level of praise.

lavish praise

Highlights the generous and abundant nature of the praise.

extreme compliment

Emphasizes the high degree of compliment.

gross exaggeration

Underscores the potential insincerity and over-the-top nature of the flattery.

over-the-top praise

Emphasizes the excessive and exaggerated nature of the praise.

insincere praise

Highlights the lack of genuineness in the flattery.

unctuous praise

Emphasizes the excessive, often insincere, and oily nature of the flattery.

fulsome praise

Highlights the abundance and sometimes excessive nature of the praise.

obsequious admiration

Highlights the servile and fawning nature of the admiration.

sycophantic praise

Focuses on the self-seeking nature of the praise, given to gain favor.

FAQs

How can I use "great flattery" in a sentence?

You can use "great flattery" to describe situations where someone is being excessively praised, often with insincere motives. For example, "The politician's speech was filled with "great flattery" aimed at winning over the audience."

What does "great flattery" imply about the praise being given?

The phrase suggests that the praise is not entirely genuine and may be used to manipulate or gain favor. It indicates a level of exaggeration that borders on insincerity.

Are there synonyms for "great flattery" that carry a less negative connotation?

Yes, if you want to express sincere appreciation, consider using phrases like "high praise" or "sincere admiration" instead. These alternatives lack the implication of manipulation associated with "great flattery".

Is "great flattery" always inappropriate to use?

No, it is appropriate when you want to convey that the praise is excessive, possibly insincere, and intended to influence someone. It adds a layer of critical observation to the description.