hell of a racket

USAGE SUMMARY

"hell of a racket" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to noise or commotion that is excessively loud or disruptive. For example, "The kids were making a hell of a racket in the back yard, so we had to ask them to quiet down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

General conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

1.05 pm: There's a hell of a racket in the Soccer City stadium.

The Guardian - Sport

The French fans don't care, they're making a hell of a racket anyway.

The Guardian - Sport

As the tide comes in, they fly inland to graze - and make a hell of a racket.

The Guardian - Film

"The birds would go crazy, everything would suddenly take off, there'd be one hell of a racket.

The Guardian

We wish he would come back and live in the city preferably in Times Square, where there is usually a hell of a racket.

The New Yorker

I've chosen to be there so I can make a hell of a racket on the guitars long into the night, read Pan paperbacks about the occult, by candlelight, and load CDs onto my laptop.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

What's more, it made a hell of a fucking racket, coming off like some knackered 18-30 hotel ceiling fan.

Vice

It's kind of a racket.

The New York Times

It's sort of a racket.

The New York Times

Well, Okay, it's not sort of a racket.

Forbes

The subsidized smartphone market is sort of a racket.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hell of a racket" to vividly describe a situation with disruptive and loud noises, particularly in informal or narrative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "hell of a racket" in formal reports or academic papers, as it is considered informal. Opt for more neutral phrases like "loud noise" or "significant disturbance" in professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hell of a racket" functions as an intensifier combined with a noun phrase to describe a particularly loud and disruptive noise. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. This is evident in the examples where the phrase describes sounds from stadium noise to geese.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Music

8%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hell of a racket" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to describe a particularly loud and disruptive noise. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, this phrase is perfectly appropriate for many writing contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it is best suited for informal or narrative contexts and should be avoided in formal or academic writing. While there are many related phrases that convey similar meanings, such as "loud commotion" or "terrible din", "hell of a racket" maintains a unique, emphatic tone. Therefore, writers should be mindful of the register and audience when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noisy disturbance

General term indicating loud sounds creating disruption.

terrible din

Implies a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise.

awful clamor

Suggests a chaotic and confused noise, often involving voices.

loud commotion

Highlights the disturbance and activity associated with the noise, rather than just the sound itself.

raucous uproar

Highlights the rowdy and disorderly nature of the noise.

tumultuous sound

Implies a loud, confused noise caused by a large crowd.

deafening noise

Focuses on the intensity of the sound, emphasizing its ability to impair hearing.

ear-splitting sound

Stresses the painful effect of the noise on the ears.

thunderous noise

Emphasizes the deep, resonant quality of the noise, similar to thunder.

boisterous noise

Focuses on the cheerful and energetic quality of the noise, even if loud.

FAQs

How can I use "hell of a racket" in a sentence?

You can use "hell of a racket" to describe a very loud and disruptive noise, such as, "The construction crew was making a "hell of a racket" outside my window this morning".

What is a less informal alternative to "hell of a racket"?

If you need a more formal way to describe a disruptive noise, consider using phrases like "significant disturbance", "loud noise", or "considerable commotion".

Is "hell of a racket" grammatically correct?

Yes, "hell of a racket" is grammatically correct and a common idiom in English. It is used to describe a loud and chaotic situation.

What's the difference between "hell of a racket" and "noisy disturbance"?

"Hell of a racket" is more emphatic and informal. "Noisy disturbance" is a more neutral and formal way to describe a loud disruption.