shitty deal

USAGE SUMMARY

"shitty deal" is correct and usable in written English, particularly in informal contexts. You can use it when expressing dissatisfaction with an agreement or situation. Example: "I can't believe they offered me such a shitty deal for my work." Alternative expressions include "bad deal" and "poor deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

In one, a senior executive described a Goldman-underwritten CDO as "one shitty deal".

The Economist

One, a $1bn package called Timberwolf, was notoriously described as a "shitty deal" by a Goldman insider.

The Guardian - Business

As our American blogger, Richard Adams, pointed out on Twitter: @richarda: Credit rating agencies quick to downgrade Greece but happy giving AAA+ to Goldman Sachs "Shitty Deal" CDOs.

The Guardian - Business

In what became a leitmotif for the hearing, Goldman traders were shown to have sold a mortgage investment that their bosses had already described in an email as "a shitty deal".

Independent

I much preferred the scenes of courtroom deposition, where a Goldman Sachs CEO is questioned about selling clients a financial package privately regarded by his own people as "a shitty deal".

Independent

Another, a $1bn package called Timberwolf, was branded as a "shitty deal" in an internal email by Thomas Montag, then Goldman's head of sales and trading for the Americas.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Surely "The Oath" could accommodate a stricture against the doing of "shitty deals," no? "I think 'shitty deals' is, like, passing judgment already," he said.

The New Yorker

On the other side, you have this other investor who's part of a mediocre fund that is not going to return capital, and they had four shitty deals in the fund, and they are going to get fired if they have one more markdown.

TechCrunch

Goldman Sachs set up its own clients to fail and bragged about their "shitty deals".

Huffington Post

It's a far different reception than the one given Lloyd at previous get-togethers, most notably before Senator Carl Levin's Congressional hearing during the 2008 investigation into Goldman's toxic "shitty" deals, or later in 2010 before Brooksley Born and the Financial Crisis Inquiry Committee which focused a lens on the dubious world of derivatives.

Huffington Post

Yeah, the system is rigged and we're going to continue having Mideast war and shitty trade deals and fossil fuels and big pharma and money in politics and Hillary Clinton by her nature is going to be pulled toward the pragmatic center.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shitty deal" sparingly in formal writing; it is best suited for informal communication or when directly quoting someone. Be mindful of your audience and the context.

Common error

Avoid using "shitty deal" in professional or academic settings. While it effectively conveys strong negative sentiment, its informal nature can undermine your credibility in formal contexts. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "unfavorable agreement" or "poor arrangement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shitty deal" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "shitty" modifies the noun "deal". It is used to express strong disapproval or dissatisfaction with the terms or outcome of an agreement. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Reference

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shitty deal" is an informal yet expressive way to describe an agreement or situation perceived as exceptionally bad or unfair. Ludwig analysis reveals that while grammatically sound, its usage is best reserved for informal contexts and direct quotations, as it carries a strong negative connotation unsuitable for formal academic or professional discourse. More neutral alternatives such as "unfavorable agreement" or "poor arrangement" may be more appropriate in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible bargain

Emphasizes the poor value or unfavorable terms of the deal.

awful transaction

Highlights the unpleasant or negative nature of the transaction.

unfavorable agreement

Focuses on the disadvantageous aspect of the agreement.

poor arrangement

Indicates a substandard or unsatisfactory arrangement.

raw deal

A more idiomatic expression for an unfair or unjust situation.

lousy proposition

Implies the offer is unappealing and of low quality.

bum steer

An informal term suggesting deception or misleading information.

bad bargain

A simple and direct way to convey that the deal is not good.

unjust terms

Highlights the unfairness and inequity of the conditions.

disadvantageous situation

Focuses on the negative impact and unfavorable position resulting from the deal.

FAQs

What does "shitty deal" mean?

The phrase "shitty deal" is an informal way of saying that an agreement, situation, or proposition is exceptionally bad, unfair, or of poor quality.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "shitty deal"?

It's appropriate to use "shitty deal" in casual conversations, informal writing, or when directly quoting someone. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts where a more neutral tone is expected.

What can I say instead of "shitty deal"?

You can use alternatives like "terrible bargain", "unfavorable agreement", or "raw deal" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "shitty deal" grammatically correct?

Yes, "shitty deal" is grammatically correct as an adjective-noun phrase. However, its appropriateness depends on the context, as it is considered informal and may not be suitable for formal writing.