it beggars description

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it beggars description" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is so extraordinary or overwhelming that it cannot be adequately described in words. Example: "The beauty of the sunset over the mountains was so breathtaking that it beggars description."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It beggars description.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Judge Huw Davies QC told him: "You were selfish to a degree which beggars description.

Independent

The pad-and-pencil work that oges on when a dancing diner meets an old friend at a bridge table and inveigles her onto the floor presumably beggars description.

The New Yorker

If there was a moment in the BBCs Macbeth when you might have been tempted to complain, with the tragic hero himself, that this is a tale told by a idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing, then Much Ado About Nothing, reinterpreted by Cold Feet writer David Nicholls, almost beggars description.

The Guardian

On Election Night, Hanna wired from Cleveland to Canton, "The feeling here beggars description.

Wikipedia

As memorable as any tale in the collection is Raymundo Hernandez-Gil's "Tarantula," a grotesque, fabulous cantina story to end all cantina stories: When a village witch dies, the fate that befalls her son almost beggars description.

Los Angeles Times

What Schley found beggared description.

The New York Times - Books

"The masterly reporting of the tragedy of little Kathy Fiscus, who fell to her death in an abandoned well, and the subsequent rescue was so graphically detailed by KTLA, as to beggar description".

Los Angeles Times

For her own person, It beggar'd all description: she did lie In her pavilion -- cloth of gold, of tissue -- O'er-picturing that Venus where we see The fancy outwork nature.

The New York Times

It beggars the imagination".

The New York Times - Arts

Even now, it beggars belief.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context provides some indication of the subject's nature, as the phrase itself offers limited specific information. Context helps the reader understand why description fails.

Common error

Avoid using "it beggars description" for everyday situations or experiences that can be adequately described with common language. Overusing the phrase diminishes its impact and renders it cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it beggars description" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing that the subject is beyond the capacity of language to capture its essence adequately. The primary function aligns with Ludwig AI analysis of correct and usable english.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it beggars description" is a phrase used to express that something is so extraordinary or overwhelming that it cannot be adequately described in words. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While not extremely common, it appears in various reputable sources such as The Guardian and The New Yorker, making it appropriate for both neutral and slightly formal contexts. Alternatives include "it defies description" and "it is beyond words". Use it judiciously to emphasize truly exceptional situations, avoiding overuse in mundane contexts to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it defies description

Emphasizes the impossibility of describing something, similar to the original phrase.

it is beyond words

Highlights that the subject is too extraordinary for verbal expression.

it is indescribable

Directly states the inability to describe something.

words cannot express

Indicates the inadequacy of language to convey the subject's essence.

it is unspeakable

Suggests the subject is too overwhelming or horrific to articulate.

it beggars belief

Indicates the subject is so improbable it's hard to accept, shifting the focus slightly from description to credibility.

it is unimaginable

Focuses on the subject being beyond the realm of imagination.

it surpasses understanding

Highlights the subject's complexity or profundity, making it difficult to comprehend fully.

it eludes description

Emphasizes the subject's elusive nature, making it difficult to capture in words.

it transcends language

Suggests the subject exists on a plane beyond the reach of ordinary communication.

FAQs

What does "it beggars description" mean?

The phrase "it beggars description" means that something is so extraordinary, overwhelming, or extreme that it is difficult or impossible to describe adequately in words.

How can I use "it beggars description" in a sentence?

You can use "it beggars description" to emphasize the exceptional nature of something. For example: "The beauty of the landscape was so stunning that "it beggars description"".

What are some alternatives to "it beggars description"?

Alternatives include "it defies description", "it is beyond words", or "it is indescribable". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "it beggars description" formal or informal?

The phrase "it beggars description" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing to ensure it aligns appropriately. In very formal settings, a more nuanced alternative may be preferable.