Losing ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Losing ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is falling behind or losing an advantage in a competitive context. Example: "In the latest market analysis, our company is losing ground to our competitors, and we need to strategize to regain our position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Losing Ground: American Social Policy 1950-1980.

University of California, Berkeley

Losing ground?

BBC

They're losing ground".

The New Yorker

ArcelorMittal denies losing ground.

The New York Times

They are losing ground".

The New York Times

They are losing ground fast.

The New York Times

we're losing ground.

The Washington Post

Conventional radiotherapy is losing ground.

Transfusion and Apheresis Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Stockmarkets lost ground everywhere.

The Economist

Countries like France, Italy and Ireland lost ground.

The New York Times

Most other players lost ground outright.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about competitive situations, use "Losing ground" to clearly indicate a decline in advantage or market share. For example, "Our company is "losing ground" in the smartphone market due to increased competition."

Common error

Avoid using "Losing ground" to describe the disappearance of physical objects or territories. Use it primarily for figurative losses, such as market share, influence, or support. Instead of saying "The city is "losing ground" to the sea" consider "The city is "being eroded" by the sea".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "losing ground" functions as a verb phrase, typically used in a continuous tense (e.g., 'is losing ground') to describe an ongoing process of decline. Ludwig AI shows many examples in news and business contexts, indicating its relevance in discussing competitive situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Losing ground" is a versatile verb phrase signifying a decline in position, status, or advantage. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage, particularly in news and media to describe competitive scenarios. While it is applicable across registers, misuse in literal contexts should be avoided. Effective alternatives include "falling behind" or "declining". To ensure clarity, use "losing ground" when discussing figurative losses and reserve more literal terms for describing the reduction of physical entities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Falling behind

Emphasizes the act of trailing or lagging in progress or performance.

Falling back

Suggests a retreat or withdrawal from a previously held position.

Relinquishing position

Highlights the act of surrendering a place or rank.

ceding territory

Used more in literal, topographical context, it means surrendering a piece of land or realm.

Being overtaken

Focuses on the action of someone or something surpassing in progress or achievement.

Suffering setbacks

Indicates experiencing obstacles or failures that hinder progress.

Declining in influence

Highlights a decrease in persuasive power or impact.

Diminishing in importance

Suggests a reduction in significance or value.

Weakening position

Emphasizes the diminishing strength or stability of a stance.

Sliding downhill

Implies a deterioration or decline in condition or circumstances.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone or something is "Losing ground"?

Saying someone or something is "losing ground" means they are declining in position, influence, or advantage, often in a competitive or progressive context. It indicates a weakening or deterioration relative to others.

What are some alternatives to saying "Losing ground"?

Alternatives to "losing ground" include "falling behind", "declining", "weakening", or "relinquishing position", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "Losing ground" in writing?

The phrase "losing ground" is appropriate when describing a situation where an entity is becoming less successful or influential compared to its competitors or previous state. It is suitable for discussing business, politics, sports, or any field where progress and competition are factors.

Is it correct to use "Losing ground" in a literal sense, such as describing coastal erosion?

While "losing ground" is primarily used figuratively, describing a decline in status or advantage, it is less common in literal contexts like coastal erosion. In those cases, phrases like "eroding" or "disappearing" are more suitable to describe the physical reduction of land.