utter garbage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utter garbage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disapproval or criticism of something, indicating that it is of very poor quality or completely worthless. Example: "The movie was utter garbage; I couldn't believe how bad the acting was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Utter garbage!

The New Yorker

Utter garbage," Bhaskar tweeted.

Independent

The Victorian police commissioner, Graham Ashton, has previously labelled claims the state was an unsafe place to live as "complete and utter garbage".

The Guardian

A writer on this newspaper's website urged readers not to buy List of the Lost at all, and a critic deemed the book "utter garbage".

The Guardian - Music

And yet here is the devotee's plight: in the midst of this utter garbage are tiny glimpses of Moz-as-was.

The Guardian - Books

He is particularly scornful of Thompson, saying he is "absolutely clueless on the real issues", and describing his article as "utter garbage".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"Pure garbage".

Huffington Post

The question is whether Broomfield - a man who has previously done brilliant work (The Leader, His Driver and The Driver's Wife) and utter, conspiratorial garbage (Kurt & Courtney) - is truly qualified to demand answers of something that must surely rate as the 21st century's My Lai.

The Guardian - Film

The most vocal complaints from voters condemn their abysmal surroundings despite years of governing party promises to fix unpaved streets, overflowing sewage systems, undrinkable water, utter lack of garbage collection and the like.

The New York Times

It is utter and total garbage.

TechCrunch

"This National Enquirer story is garbage; it is complete and utter lies," Cruz said during a campaign stop in Wisconsin.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utter garbage" to express strong disapproval or dismissal of something you consider to be of very poor quality or completely without merit. It's effective when you want to convey a sense of outrage or frustration.

Common error

Avoid using "utter garbage" in formal writing or professional settings where a more measured and polite tone is expected. Opt for alternatives like "unacceptable" or "unsatisfactory" to maintain professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter garbage" functions as an evaluative expression, emphatically conveying a negative judgment. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to express strong disapproval or criticism. The examples provided show its use in dismissing opinions, creative works, and even potential solutions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter garbage" is a phrase used for expressing strong disapproval or criticism. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While grammatically sound and fairly common particularly in News & Media, it's best reserved for informal contexts. If you're aiming for alternatives, consider "complete rubbish" or "total nonsense". Be mindful of the setting and audience when choosing to use "utter garbage", as a more refined expression might be preferable in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete rubbish

Replaces "garbage" with "rubbish", a British English term with a similar meaning.

absolute trash

Uses "trash" instead of "garbage" for a slightly more informal tone, while retaining the intensity.

pure rubbish

Emphasizes the unadulterated nature of the rubbish, stressing its complete lack of value.

total nonsense

Shifts the focus to the lack of logic or sense in something, rather than its inherent worthlessness.

thoroughly worthless

More formal and emphasizes the lack of value or merit.

complete balderdash

Replaces "utter garbage" with complete nonsense.

sheer bunkum

Replaces "utter garbage" with slang term to strongly negate validity of a statement.

arrant hogwash

Uses a more old-fashioned and emphatic term for nonsense.

downright awful

Shifts from worthlessness to the very poor quality of something.

patently absurd

Focuses on the obvious and undeniable absurdity of something.

FAQs

What does "utter garbage" mean?

The phrase "utter garbage" means something is completely worthless, nonsensical, or of very poor quality. It expresses strong disapproval.

Is "utter garbage" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "utter garbage" is generally considered informal and is better suited for casual conversation or less formal writing. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "completely unacceptable" or "entirely without merit".

What can I say instead of "utter garbage"?

You can use alternatives like "complete rubbish", "total nonsense", or "absolute trash" depending on the context and your desired level of formality.

How can I use "utter garbage" in a sentence?

You can use "utter garbage" to describe something you find extremely poor in quality or completely useless. For example: "That movie was "utter garbage"; I wasted two hours of my life."