phony-baloney
Americannoun
adjective
Etymology
Origin of phony-baloney
First recorded in 1930–35
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The Boys” are back to give phony-baloney superheroes more of what for in a second season of this satirical action comedy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2020
To move on from dance to another kind of musical performance, I didn’t click much at all with Her Smell, which I found to be pretty phony-baloney, despite Elisabeth Moss’ valiant efforts.
From Slate ● Dec. 25, 2019
Ideas are invoked but not fully developed: Jimmy pulls off a phony-baloney P.R. stunt; he gets into elder law and plans to sue an old-age home.
From The New Yorker ● Apr. 6, 2015
Some of the Dinar scams operate the same way: You don’t actually get any Dinars, but instead just a statement showing that you have Dinars or some sort of phony-baloney “Certificate” of ownership.
From Forbes ● Oct. 4, 2012
If it works out that we’re dealing with phony-baloney titles solely to satisfy protocol, then fine.
From Chicago Tribune ● Oct. 19, 2011
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
