virtually booked solid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually booked solid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where all available time slots or resources are almost completely filled, leaving little to no availability. Example: "Due to high demand, our conference room is virtually booked solid for the next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Hotels for this summer are virtually booked solid, and every day sees more local people advertise rooms on Airbnb.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Within one month of opening, Hedone was booked solid virtually every night — impressive considering that it is 40 minutes by public transit from central London.

The New York Times - Travel

Virtually all the surviving hotels have raised their rates but are still booked solid.

The Economist

Booked solid.

The New York Times - Style

He's booked solid.

The New York Times

GUNSLINGER 1: Booked solid.

The New Yorker

Hotels were booked solid months ago.

The New York Times - Sports

Appointments are booked solid for months.

The New York Times

She is booked solid through 2011.

The New York Times

Motel rooms in Williston are booked solid, sometimes for years.

The New York Times

"We were booked solid from June until Christmas," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing availability, quantify the 'virtually' aspect where possible. For example: "We are 95% booked solid."

Common error

Avoid using "virtually booked solid" when there are still significant openings. This can mislead potential customers or clients.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually booked solid" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing the state of being nearly fully booked. It indicates a high level of occupancy or commitment. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually booked solid" is a grammatically correct and usable adjective phrase that describes a state of near-complete reservation or booking. It's most commonly found in News & Media contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig, and serves to inform an audience about limited availability. While not the most frequently used phrase, with authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian employing it, it is a clear and effective way to communicate high demand. Remember to use it accurately, and consider quantifying the 'virtually' aspect where possible to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost fully booked

Emphasizes the near-complete booking status, differing slightly in formality.

virtually unavailable

Directly states the lack of availability, focusing on the outcome.

nearly completely full

Focuses on the capacity being filled, rather than the booking process.

close to capacity

Highlights that the available space or time is almost at its limit.

nearing maximum capacity

A more formal way to express approaching full capacity.

packed to the rafters

More informal, suggesting a very crowded or full state.

booked up tight

Informal, emphasizing the difficulty of finding availability.

at full stretch

Implies resources or time are being used to their maximum extent.

heavily subscribed

Often used for events or services with many participants or users.

in high demand

Highlights the popularity and limited availability.

FAQs

What does "virtually booked solid" mean?

It means that something, such as a hotel or service, is almost completely booked or reserved, leaving very little availability.

What's a more formal way to say "virtually booked solid"?

A more formal alternative could be "nearing maximum capacity" or almost fully booked.

Can I use "virtually booked solid" in professional communication?

Yes, "virtually booked solid" is appropriate for professional communication, though using a more precise figure (e.g., "95% booked") may be preferable.

What are some similar phrases to "virtually booked solid" that emphasize high demand?

Alternatives include "in high demand", "heavily subscribed", or "close to capacity".