Is the phrase "a brute of a husband" a figure of speech?

Question

I came across the phrase "A BRUTE OF A HUSBAND". I would normally use 'a brute husband', and this construction seems interesting to me. However, I don't know how to search for more phrases like this, because if I write down "of a" in google I would get the normal sentences we all know.

Does this way of speaking have a name?

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 01 '23 at 12:19

2

It is an idiomatic usage:

of a

idiom (US, informal)

—used to indicate that someone or something is a particular type of person or thing.

Usage examples:

her idiot of a husband

It is not that much of a problem.

It wasn't that difficult of a shot.

How big of a piece do you want?

(M-W)

answered Mar 01 '23 at 12:19

user 66974

67,349

3

As a British English speaker, I wouldn't use of in the last two examples - but expressions like a giant of a man, a darling of a child are well-established. – Kate Bunting Mar 01 '23 at 12:53
Indeed, usually it's a noun of a noun. – komodosp Mar 02 '23 at 12:50

Is the phrase "a brute of a husband" a figure of speech?

1 Answers1