this was textbook

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was textbook" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or behavior that is typical or expected, often in a way that aligns with established norms or standards. Example: "His response to the crisis was textbook; he remained calm and followed the protocol step by step."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This was textbook baseball.

The New York Times - Sports

This was textbook New Labour.

The Guardian

This was textbook stiff upper-lip stuff.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"This is textbook stuff," MacDonald said.

The Guardian

"But in another sense, this is textbook stuff," he said.

The New York Times

This is textbook stuff.And what about the third case?

The Economist

This is textbook economics to combine near-term stimulus and long-term adjustment.

The New York Times

"In this way, the investigations were shallow," said Mr. Ryan, who added, "This is textbook case of a family in need who was not being served".

The New York Times

All this is textbook international economics: contrary to what people sometimes assert, economic theory says that free trade normally makes a country richer, but it doesn't say that it's normally good for everyone.

The New York Times

This is textbook economics.

Forbes

'The space which hasn't been drawn is what the reader imagines.' This is textbook manga, but it is also straight out of the playlist of Japan's great woodblock printers.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this was textbook" to describe actions, strategies, or situations that perfectly align with established principles, guidelines, or common expectations. For instance, in sports, politics, or business, if something unfolds as predicted, you might say, "this was textbook."

Common error

Avoid using "this was textbook" to describe highly unique or unexpected events. The phrase implies predictability and adherence to established patterns, so it's not suitable for situations that defy norms or precedents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was textbook" functions as an evaluative statement, describing an event or action as perfectly conforming to a known pattern or standard. Ludwig examples show it used to describe events in sports, politics and general situations. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this was textbook" is used to describe events or actions that unfold predictably or according to established norms. Ludwig examples show it used across a range of sources. It functions as an evaluative statement, conveying recognition of a familiar pattern. While not overly formal, it’s typically used in neutral contexts such as news reporting and professional analysis. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. When employing this phrase, ensure that the described situation genuinely aligns with established principles, avoiding its misuse in scenarios that defy expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this was a textbook example

Similar to the original phrase, but emphasizes the illustrative nature of the example.

this was by the book

Emphasizes adherence to rules and procedures.

this was standard procedure

Highlights that the actions taken were normal and expected in a given situation.

this was a classic case

Indicates that the situation is a typical example of a known phenomenon.

this was typical

Focuses on the commonness and expected nature of the event.

this was according to plan

Highlights that the outcome aligns with a pre-established strategy.

this was just as expected

Underlines that there was no surprise in the outcome.

this was right on cue

Suggests that something happened exactly as expected or predicted.

this was picture perfect

Implies that something was flawless and exemplary.

this was text book

It lacks a hyphen, resulting in two separate words.

FAQs

What does the phrase "this was textbook" mean?

The phrase "this was textbook" means that something happened exactly as expected or according to established rules and principles. It suggests a situation unfolded in a predictable or standard manner.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "this was textbook"?

It's appropriate to use "this was textbook" when describing events or actions that perfectly align with established norms, strategies, or expectations. It's often used in contexts like sports, business, or politics to indicate a predictable outcome.

What can I say instead of "this was textbook"?

You can use alternatives like "this was by the book", "this was standard procedure", or "this was a classic case" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "this was textbook" and "this was a textbook example"?

While similar, "this was textbook" implies something happened exactly as expected, whereas "this was a textbook example" emphasizes that the event serves as a clear illustration of a principle or concept.