motley crew

USAGE SUMMARY

"motley crew" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used as an idiomatic phrase to describe a group of people who are diverse or mismatched in appearance, background, or behavior. Example: The team of detectives assigned to the case was a motley crew, with one veteran officer, a rookie fresh out of the academy, and a quirky but brilliant consultant from the FBI. Despite their differences, they worked together seamlessly to solve the crime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A motley crew indeed.

The Guardian

What binds this motley crew together?

The New York Times - Books

The team was a motley crew.

The New York Times - Sports

Power seekers are a motley crew.

The Guardian - Opinion

At Armstrong's funeral, she said, "They are a motley crew, but they were his motley crew".

The Guardian

The colony remains the same motley crew of clones.

The New York Times - Health

He'd assembled an international motley crew of guests.

The Guardian - Opinion

A motley crew of hard-right, pro-Brexit Tories.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even for nerds, the leading characters are a motley crew.

The New York Times

9.08pm: The motley crew are summoned to Chiswick auction house.

The Guardian

A motley crew of environmentalists and construction workers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "motley crew" when you want to emphasize the diverse or mismatched nature of a group, often implying a sense of unconventionality or unpredictability.

Common error

Avoid using "motley crew" in contexts where a positive or formal description is needed. The phrase can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation, suggesting a lack of order or professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "motley crew" is as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI exemplifies, it describes a group of individuals characterized by their diversity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "motley crew" is a frequently used noun phrase that describes a group of people with diverse backgrounds or characteristics. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the potential connotations of unconventionality or lack of order. Alternatives like "diverse group" or "ragtag group" may be more suitable in certain situations. When aiming to portray a group that's diverse or has unconventional ways of working, using the phrase "motley crew" is a smart and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ragtag group

Similar in meaning, but suggests a less organized or more unconventional group.

hodgepodge of people

Highlights the random and unplanned combination.

diverse group

Replaces "motley" with a more general term for variety.

odd assortment

Emphasizes the unusual or peculiar nature of the group.

assorted bunch

Uses "assorted" to emphasize the variety and "bunch" to imply a group.

mishmash of individuals

Emphasizes the disparate nature of the members.

unconventional team

Focuses on the non-traditional makeup of a team.

mixed company

Highlights the combination of different people or elements.

eclectic mix

Suggests a carefully chosen but diverse selection.

varied collection

Focuses on the range of items or individuals gathered.

FAQs

How can I use "motley crew" in a sentence?

You can use "motley crew" to describe a group of people with diverse backgrounds or characteristics, for example, "The team assembled for the project was a "motley crew" of engineers, designers, and marketers."

What's a good alternative to "motley crew"?

Alternatives to "motley crew" include "diverse group", "assorted bunch", or "ragtag group", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "motley crew" a formal or informal expression?

"Motley crew" is generally considered an informal expression. It is best suited for casual writing and speech, rather than formal or academic contexts.

What does "motley crew" imply about a group of people?

"Motley crew" typically implies that the group is composed of individuals with varied backgrounds, skills, or personalities. It often suggests a sense of unpredictability or unconventionality.