size too big

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "size too big" is not standard in written English. It can be used informally to describe something that is excessively large. Example: "The shirt I ordered is size too big for me." Alternative expressions include "too large" and "excessively big."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

It was at least one size too big.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He never wore ties or turtlenecks and always bought shoes a half size too big.

The New Yorker

One day the crowds will swell to a size too big to hold.

The Guardian - Film

At the top of the stairs, in a spiffy suit a size too big, stood Jonah, the cultural attaché.

The New Yorker

Rattner had on a pair of J. Crew khakis, which Jenna Lyons might have thought were a size too big.

The New Yorker

He is a short and portly man with a professorial beard, and his rumpled suits are a size too big.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

One had boots several sizes too big.

The New York Times

It was pretty ugly and about three sizes too big.

The New York Times

"They were six sizes too big for us.

The Guardian

Her bathrobe is about 12 sizes too big for her.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was three sizes too big," her mother said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In highly formal academic writing, consider using the full form "a size too large" for better grammatical precision.

Common error

Avoid using "size too big" when you simply mean an object is large. Use it only when comparing an item to its intended or expected standard size. For general dimensions, use "too large" or "excessively big".

Linguistic Context

In linguistic terms, "size too big" typically functions as a predicative adjective phrase or a noun phrase complement. It acts as an ellipsis where the article "a" is omitted for brevity. Examples from Ludwig show it is frequently used to describe clothing fit, such as a suit or a jersey being a "size too big".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "size too big" is a prevalent idiomatic construction in English, particularly within the realms of fashion, sports, and descriptive storytelling. Although Ludwig AI identifies it as potentially non-standard due to the missing article "a", the extensive corpus of examples from prestigious outlets like The New York Times and The New Yorker proves its legitimacy in professional prose. It effectively communicates a specific scale of misfit, often implying that a garment or object is one increment larger than desired. Writers should feel confident using it in journalistic and creative contexts, though they might opt for "<a href="/s/a+size+too+large" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a size too large" when aiming for a more formal or academic tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a size too large

The grammatically complete version of the idiomatic phrase

too large

More formal and universally applicable across different contexts

one size up

Specifically refers to the next increment in a standard sizing scale

two sizes too big

Specifies a greater degree of mismatch in the sizing

oversized

Often suggests a deliberate style choice rather than just a poor fit

excessively big

Emphasizes the extreme degree of the size discrepancy

loose-fitting

Describes the way the garment hangs on the body rather than the label size

baggy

Carries a more informal and sometimes negative connotation regarding fit

ill-fitting

A broader term indicating the garment does not suit the wearer's proportions

bulky

Suggests the item is heavy or takes up too much physical space

FAQs

Is "size too big" grammatically correct?

The phrase is an idiomatic expression commonly used in journalism. While some grammarians prefer "<a href="/s/a+size+too+large" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a size too large", Ludwig AI and numerous high-quality sources confirm that "size too big" is widely accepted in professional writing.

What is the difference between "too big" and "size too big"?

"<a href="/s/too+big" target="_blank" rel="alternative">too big" is a general description of size, whereas "size too big" implies the object is exactly one standard size increment larger than what is needed.

Can I use "size too big" in a formal essay?

In formal contexts, it is safer to use "<a href="/s/one+size+too+large" target="_blank" rel="alternative">one size too large" to ensure clarity and adherence to traditional grammar rules.

What can I say instead of "size too big"?

Depending on your context, you can use "<a href="/s/oversized" target="_blank" rel="alternative">oversized", "<a href="/s/too+large" target="_blank" rel="alternative">too large", or "<a href="/s/baggy" target="_blank" rel="alternative">baggy".