reject it outright

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reject it outright" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a complete dismissal of an idea, proposal, or suggestion without any consideration. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, we decided to reject it outright due to its lack of feasibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

You will either be overcome, seduced by its powerful, declarative presence, or reject it outright.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It is shortsighted to reject it outright," he said.

The New York Times

I do not "fail to recognize" the Court's approach—I reject it outright.

Cornell University

Mr Netanyahu has never accepted this blueprint and other partners in his coalition reject it outright.

The Economist

If the private sector can provide efficient, cost-effective service, why should we reject it outright?

The New York Times

Of course they would reject it outright". As indeed they did.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

That is more realistic, but it may now strike Britons as too soft.And in some ways the Labour Party has forgotten its internationalist history, or rejected it outright.

The Economist

Also on show are the studies of his monument to the writer Honoré de Balzac – one that triggered so much outrage by departing from contemporary sculpture that its commissioner, the Society of Men of Letters, rejected it outright.

Independent

Many rejected it outright.

The New York Times

But rejecting it outright would be childish.

The New York Times

But neither Russia nor China rejected it outright.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reject it outright" when you want to convey a complete and immediate dismissal of an idea or proposal, leaving no room for further consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "reject it outright" when a more nuanced response is appropriate. Sometimes, acknowledging the merits of an idea while suggesting modifications is more constructive than a complete dismissal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reject it outright" functions as a verb phrase that expresses a complete and immediate refusal or dismissal of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically sound expression. The phrase indicates a decisive action, leaving no room for further consideration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

11%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reject it outright" is a commonly used verb phrase that conveys a complete and immediate dismissal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It appears most frequently in news and media, but also in academic and informal contexts. While it's a versatile phrase, be mindful of situations where a more nuanced response is appropriate. Alternatives include "dismiss it outright" or "refuse it completely", depending on the desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dismiss it outright

Replaces "reject" with "dismiss", which carries a slightly less forceful connotation but maintains the sense of immediate dismissal.

refuse it completely

Substitutes "reject" with "refuse" and "outright" with "completely", emphasizing the totality of the refusal.

turn it down flat

Uses a more informal and emphatic idiom to convey immediate and decisive rejection.

decline it firmly

Presents a polite but resolute refusal, suitable for professional contexts.

veto it decisively

Implies having the authority to reject, adding a dimension of power or control.

rebuff it sharply

Conveys a strong and often unexpected rejection, suggesting a negative reaction.

spurn it disdainfully

Suggests rejecting something with contempt or scorn, adding an emotional layer.

negate it entirely

Focuses on the cancellation or invalidation aspect of the rejection, suitable for logical or legal contexts.

repudiate it fully

Emphasizes a formal disavowal or denial, often used in contexts of beliefs or principles.

nullify it immediately

Highlights the act of making something void or ineffective right away, suitable for legal or procedural scenarios.

FAQs

How can I use "reject it outright" in a sentence?

You can use "reject it outright" when you want to express a complete and immediate dismissal of something. For example, "The committee decided to "reject it outright" due to feasibility concerns".

What's a more formal alternative to "reject it outright"?

A more formal alternative could be "decline it firmly", which conveys a polite yet resolute refusal, suitable for professional communications.

Is there a difference between "dismiss it outright" and "reject it outright"?

While similar, "dismiss it outright" is slightly less forceful than ""reject it outright"". Dismissing suggests setting aside without much thought, while rejecting implies a stronger disapproval.

When is it inappropriate to use "reject it outright"?

It's inappropriate to use "reject it outright" in situations that require a more nuanced or diplomatic response. For instance, when giving feedback, it's better to offer constructive criticism rather than "reject it outright".