a bad goal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bad goal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an objective or aim that is considered undesirable or inappropriate. Example: "Setting a bad goal, such as aiming to lose weight too quickly, can lead to unhealthy habits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

"That was a bad goal there," Holmqvist said.

The New York Times - Sports

"That was a bad goal by me," said Snow, who had 28 saves.

The New York Times - Sports

That's not a bad goal, although I can't see how the agency could afford to make the trip itself.

The New York Times - Science

You don't go for the average shot because it is not very often that he lets in a bad goal.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a tough game, and you don't want it to be decided by a bad goal," Hackett said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Peter Schmeichel made his debut away to Wimbledon on a Wednesday night and then gave a bad goal away to Leeds the following weekend.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

We gave a very bad goal away and then they score out of a free-kick indirect," he said.

Independent

We could not cope with the circumstances and then we gave a very bad goal away".

The Guardian - Sport

It was just a really bad goal, unfortunately at the wrong time".

The New York Times

That was a monumentally bad goal for Everton to concede.

BBC

"We lost a really bad goal at the start but we'd started well, first 10-15 minutes really well, dominating the game.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a bad goal" in sports writing, provide specific details about why the goal was considered 'bad'. For example, mention the goalkeeper's error or the defensive lapse that led to it.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that a goal was "a bad goal" without providing context or explanation. Instead, describe the specific factors that made it so, such as a defensive error or a lucky deflection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bad goal" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'bad' modifies the noun 'goal'. It is typically used to describe a goal that is considered undesirable or resulted from an error. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bad goal" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a goal resulting from errors or poor play. Ludwig AI confirms that is used to criticize or express disappointment in sporting and professional contests, as revealed by Ludwig's analysis. It's frequently found in News & Media and Sports contexts and carries a neutral register, though it can become informal. When using the phrase, it's best to provide specific details about why the goal is considered 'bad'. Alternatives include "an unfortunate goal" or "a preventable goal".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unfortunate goal

Focuses on the negative luck or circumstances surrounding the goal.

a poorly executed goal

Emphasizes the lack of skill or technique in achieving the goal.

a costly goal

Highlights the negative consequences or repercussions of the goal.

a preventable goal

Suggests that the goal could have been avoided with better actions or decisions.

a soft goal

Implies the goal was easily scored and should have been stopped.

a cheap goal

Suggests the goal was scored due to luck or an unfair advantage.

a gift goal

Highlights that the opponent was given the goal rather than earning it.

a terrible goal

Emphasizes the very poor quality of the goal.

an unacceptable goal

Focuses on how a goal is not something that anyone would want to achieve.

an inadvisable goal

Suggests the goal is not a smart one to follow.

FAQs

How can I use "a bad goal" in a sentence?

You can use "a bad goal" to describe a situation where someone concedes a goal because of an error or poor play, as in, "The team conceded "a bad goal" due to a defensive lapse".

What are some alternatives to "a bad goal"?

Alternatives include "an unfortunate goal", "a preventable goal", or "a costly goal", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a bad goal"?

Yes, "a bad goal" typically carries a negative connotation, implying an error, poor judgment, or unfavorable circumstances that led to the goal being conceded. It's rarely used in a positive or neutral context.

What makes a goal "a bad goal" as opposed to just a regular goal?

A goal is often labelled as "a bad goal" when it results from a clear mistake, such as a goalkeeper error, a defensive blunder, or a lucky deflection that makes it harder for the defending team to prevent.