Caught a bad break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Caught a bad break" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone experiences an unfortunate event or setback that is beyond their control. Example: "After losing his job unexpectedly, he felt like he had caught a bad break in life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He caught a bad break on that hole, when his drive landed in a sand divot.

The New York Times - Sports

At the 14th hole, Woods was leading by three when he caught a bad break after his ball picked up some mud left of the fairway.

The New York Times - Sports

But after starting on No. 10 and playing her first four holes at one under par, she double-bogeyed the par-4 No. 14. Sorenstam hit her tee shot there into the right rough and caught a bad break when the ball landed on the side of a mound.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She caught a bad cold.

The New Yorker

Then she caught a bad cold, and never recovered.

The New Yorker

Center fielder Austin Jackson got a bad break on the ball, and just missed making a shoestring catch.

The New York Times - Sports

Call it a bad break.

The New York Times

"It was just a bad break".

The New York Times - Sports

"Just a bad break," Lundqvist said.

The New York Times - Sports

There, a bad break saved his life.

The New York Times

Talk about a bad break!

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Caught a bad break" to describe specific, often sudden, instances of misfortune, particularly in situations where chance or external factors play a significant role.

Common error

Avoid using "Caught a bad break" when the negative outcome is primarily the result of one's own mistakes or poor judgment. The phrase implies external forces or circumstances are largely to blame.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Caught a bad break" functions as an idiomatic expression. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It describes experiencing an unfortunate event or setback beyond one's control.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Caught a bad break" is a correct and usable idiomatic phrase used to describe an unfortunate or unlucky situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While alternatives exist, the phrase is effective for expressing sympathy or explaining unexpected misfortune. When considering usage, remember to use the phrase when external circumstances, not personal errors, are the primary cause of the negative outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Ran into hard luck

Offers a slightly more colloquial alternative, focusing on the presence of bad luck.

Had an unlucky incident

Substitutes "bad break" with "unlucky incident", making it slightly less idiomatic.

Hit a streak of bad luck

Emphasizes that the bad luck is prolonged or continuous.

Faced an unfortunate setback

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more straightforward description of experiencing a negative event.

Experienced misfortune

Replaces "caught a bad break" with a more formal term for experiencing something unlucky.

Was dealt a difficult hand

Uses a metaphor related to card games to express facing hardship.

Met with adversity

Uses a more formal term for facing challenging or unfavorable circumstances.

Received a raw deal

Emphasizes unfairness in the bad luck experienced.

Suffered a reversal of fortune

Suggests a change from good luck to bad luck, often implying a significant impact.

Was at the receiving end of misfortune

Uses a more descriptive and slightly passive way to express experiencing bad luck.

FAQs

How can I use "Caught a bad break" in a sentence?

You can use "Caught a bad break" to describe an unlucky situation. For example: "He caught a bad break when his car broke down on the way to the interview."

What's a more formal way to say "Caught a bad break"?

More formal alternatives to "Caught a bad break" include "experienced misfortune" or "faced an unfortunate setback".

Is it correct to use "Caught a bad break" in business communication?

While "Caught a bad break" is understandable, it might be more suitable to use phrases like "encountered challenges" or "experienced setbacks" in formal business contexts.

What is the difference between "Caught a bad break" and "Had a rough time"?

"Caught a bad break" usually refers to a specific, often sudden, incident of bad luck. "Had a rough time" is more general and can describe a longer period of difficulty.