of the bollocks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of the bollocks" is correct and usable in written English, particularly in British slang.
It is typically used to express that something is nonsense or of poor quality. Example: "The report was full of the bollocks, lacking any real substance or evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Tired of the bollocks.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Having a social conscience and none of that survival-of-the-fittest bollocks".

The Guardian

As Ryan Lamb was lining up his conversion, his 14 colleagues were summoned to the touchline for a close encounter of the bollocking kind with Toby Booth, their head honcho.

Independent

There is no Portuguese UKIP although many of the bollock-faced British ex-pats over in the Algarve would probably re-marry their ex-wives for Nigel Farage and no nationalist group has gained significant support.

Vice

There is no Portuguese UKIP – although many of the bollock-faced British ex-pats over in the Algarve would probably re-marry their ex-wives for Nigel Farage – and no nationalist group has gained significant support.

Vice

And then Jennifer "the puncher of people in the bollocks", as in… …well, as in this one, really.

The Guardian - Film

Note the traces of blood around his eyes and muzzle, drained from the bollocks of Brussels bureaucrats and benefit-happy asylum seekers.

Vice

Five years after the release of Never Mind The Bollocks most of that youthful rebellion and raw creativity had been replaced by the soundtrack to a comic, lager-fuelled, mostly a-political mess about.

The Guardian - Music

It was Jones who ultimately played most of the bass parts during the Bollocks recordings; Howard calls his rudimentary, rumbling approach the "explosive missing ingredient" of the Sex Pistols' sound.

Wikipedia

Threadymade.co.uk The website of Threadymade founder, Sonja Todd, this includes cross stitch charts for the cover of Never Mind the Bollocks and news of forthcoming and offbeat cross stitch events.

The Guardian

As can the elite rifle-trained firearms officers who, in the elegant words of a chief superintendent friend of mine, "can shoot the bollocks off a gnat at three kilometres".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of the bollocks", be aware of your audience as it is considered vulgar slang in some contexts. Reserve its use for informal settings or when aiming for a deliberately provocative tone.

Common error

Avoid using "of the bollocks" in formal writing or professional communication. Its strong, informal nature can be jarring and undermine your credibility in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of the bollocks" functions as a modifier, typically following "load", "piece", or similar nouns, to intensify the expression of disbelief, contempt, or dismissal. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of the bollocks" is a British slang term used to express strong disapproval or to dismiss something as nonsense. While Ludwig confirms its usability, its vulgar nature restricts its use to informal contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it is crucial to be aware of your audience and the potential for offense when using this phrase. Consider softer alternatives like "of the nonsense" or "of the rubbish" in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of the nonsense

Replaces "bollocks" with a more polite and widely understood term for foolishness or rubbish.

of the rubbish

Similar to "of the nonsense" but carries a slightly stronger connotation of worthlessness.

of the baloney

An informal American equivalent, suggesting something is untrue or exaggerated.

of the garbage

Emphasizes the poor quality and worthlessness of something.

of the hogwash

An older, somewhat humorous term for nonsense.

of the poppycock

A slightly more refined and old-fashioned term for nonsense.

of the drivel

Highlights the boring and tedious nature of the nonsense.

of the twaddle

Suggests foolish or trivial talk.

of the rot

Implies moral decay or corruption in addition to being nonsensical.

of the balderdash

A strong term of disapproval for something considered foolish and untrue.

FAQs

How can I use "of the bollocks" in a sentence?

You can use "of the bollocks" to express strong disbelief or disapproval of something. For example, "That's a load "of bollocks"!"

What's a more polite alternative to "of the bollocks"?

If you want to avoid vulgar language, you can use phrases like "of the nonsense", "of the rubbish", or "that's rubbish" instead.

Is it appropriate to use "of the bollocks" in formal writing?

No, "of the bollocks" is highly informal and considered vulgar. It's best to avoid using it in any formal or professional writing.

What does "of the bollocks" actually mean?

"Of the bollocks" is a British slang term used to describe something that is considered nonsense, untrue, or of poor quality. It is a stronger and more vulgar way of saying something is "rubbish" or "nonsense".