lump of meat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lump of meat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a piece of meat that is not cut or shaped, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The chef placed a large lump of meat on the grill, ready to be cooked to perfection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

He looked like a lump of meat.

The Guardian

And yet it's also a lump of meat… Alzheimer's is a disease of classically "insidious onset".

The New Yorker

We were served lukewarm soup looking like dishwater with a lump of meat.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The brain is a lump of meat and the soul is merely "a story the brain tells itself".

The New York Times - Books

Chef Simon Hulstone uploaded the snap of a teddy-shaped lump of meat, and joked that he had made it for his children for Christmas.

Independent

It's an awesome great lump of meat and, though I'm sure we'll still be ploughing through the leftovers in late January, there can be few things that look more impressive on the table.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

She threw them three big lumps of meat.

The Guardian - Opinion

To tempt them nearer, lumps of meat are hung on rods from the boat.

The Guardian - Travel

Bloated lumps of meat and tongue are packed in solution-like detritus from a carnie show.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When you put a lampigeefison in the oven it looks like an ugly mound of incongruous lumps of meat but once it's cooked it looks like Morley Safer.

The New Yorker

Joe Frazier insists he hit lumps of meat in a giant freezer before he was world champion; Stallone has given Don King and Muhammad Ali credit for their influence on other characters.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "lump of meat", consider the connotation. It can be used neutrally to describe a cut of meat, but also carries negative connotations when referring to a person or body, implying objectification or dehumanization.

Common error

Avoid using "lump of meat" in formal or academic writing unless you intend to create a specific, often negative, effect. More neutral terms like "portion of meat" or "cut of meat" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lump of meat" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a direct object or subject complement. It describes a quantity of meat, either literally in culinary contexts or figuratively to denote a person's body in a derogatory way, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lump of meat" is a common noun phrase with varied uses, ranging from a neutral description of food to a derogatory term for a person. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, though its appropriateness depends heavily on context. Predominantly found in news and media, its connotations can shift from descriptive to offensive. When writing, consider the potential impact of this phrase, opting for more neutral alternatives like "piece of meat" or "cut of meat" in formal settings or when referring to individuals with respect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chunk of meat

Replaces "lump" with "chunk", indicating a roughly cut piece of meat.

piece of meat

Uses a more general term "piece" instead of "lump", softening the imagery.

mass of meat

Focuses on the quantity of meat, without emphasizing its irregular shape.

slab of meat

Suggests a thicker, flatter cut of meat compared to a "lump".

portion of meat

Implies a serving or allocated amount of meat.

cut of meat

Indicates a specific part or type of meat, often prepared for cooking.

serving of meat

Refers to a measured amount of meat prepared for consumption.

joint of meat

Suggests a larger piece of meat, typically for roasting.

dollop of meat

Emphasizes a soft, rounded mass of meat, usually processed.

amount of meat

A more generic term, referring to the quantity of meat.

FAQs

How can "lump of meat" be used figuratively?

Figuratively, "lump of meat" can refer to a person or their body, often implying a lack of intelligence, agency, or feeling. It's generally considered derogatory in this context.

What is a less offensive alternative to calling someone a "lump of meat"?

If you want to describe someone's physical presence without being offensive, consider using terms like "physical body" or "human form". If you are referencing the person's physical strength or size you can use neutral descriptive phrases like "robust build" or "imposing figure".

How does the connotation of "lump of meat" change depending on the context?

In culinary contexts, "lump of meat" is fairly neutral. However, when used to describe a person, it becomes highly negative, implying dehumanization or objectification, similar to phrases like "piece of meat".

Is it ever appropriate to use "lump of meat" in a positive way?

It's rare, but in some contexts, "lump of meat" can be used humorously or self-deprecatingly, especially when acknowledging one's own physicality or limitations. For example: 'After that workout, I felt like a tired "useless lump".'