a bad hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bad hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as card games or when discussing a difficult situation or disadvantage someone is facing. Example: "In poker, I was dealt a bad hand and had to fold my cards early in the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tsipras is playing a bad hand well.

The Guardian - Business

<< 852 RARE: Was Reverend Sacheverell Dealt a Bad Hand?

Harvard University

You could lose them with a bad hand.

Yale University

"I said, 'Gee, that's not a bad hand.

The New York Times - Tech

Sometimes life simply deals us a bad hand.

Harvard Business Review

Pitino was dealt a bad hand in his first season.

The New York Times - Sports

Luro is not a bad hand with American-breds, either.

The New Yorker

That kid has been dealt a bad hand.

The Guardian - Books

The ANC was dealt a bad hand in 1994, and it has played that hand badly.

The Economist

Has the government's budget-cutting strategy only made a bad hand worse?

The Economist

"Rex Tillerson has been dealt a bad hand by the Potus & has played it badly.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a bad hand" to describe situations where someone is at a disadvantage due to circumstances beyond their control. It's effective for conveying sympathy or explaining difficulties without assigning blame.

Common error

Avoid using "a bad hand" when the difficulties are a direct result of someone's poor decisions or actions. The phrase implies an element of misfortune rather than personal fault.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bad hand" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often part of a larger predicate. Ludwig confirms this usage, highlighting examples where it describes a difficult situation or disadvantage, akin to receiving unfavorable cards in a game.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Academia

11%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bad hand" is a common and generally correct phrase used to describe unfavorable circumstances beyond one's control. According to Ludwig, it's widely accepted and applicable in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While grammatically sound, it's important to avoid using it when difficulties stem from personal fault rather than external misfortune. Alternatives like "unfavorable circumstances" can provide a more formal tone when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unfavorable circumstances

Replaces the metaphorical "hand" with a more literal description of a difficult situation.

Bad set of circumstances

Similar in meaning, this alternative replaces the card game metaphor with more straightforward language.

Difficult predicament

Focuses on the challenging nature of the situation, removing the element of chance or fate.

Unfortunate situation

This phrase conveys a sense of regret or bad luck regarding the circumstances.

Unenviable position

Highlights the undesirable nature of the situation from an external perspective.

Challenging situation

This alternative emphasizes the difficulty and the need to overcome obstacles.

Tough situation

A more general and informal way to describe a challenging set of circumstances.

Poor state of affairs

This is a more formal way to describe an unsatisfactory or problematic situation.

Being in a bind

Emphasizes the restrictive and limiting aspect of the difficult situation.

Adverse conditions

This phrase highlights the negative and unfavorable aspects of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a bad hand" to describe situations where someone faces unfortunate circumstances or disadvantages beyond their control. For example, "Despite being dealt a bad hand, she managed to succeed".

What's a more formal alternative to "a bad hand"?

If you need a more formal option, consider using "unfavorable circumstances" or "difficult predicament".

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "a bad hand"?

No, it's best to avoid using "a bad hand" when the difficulties are a direct result of someone's own poor decisions. The phrase suggests external factors are the cause.

What is the origin of the phrase "a bad hand"?

The phrase "a bad hand" originates from card games, where a player receives unfavorable cards. Over time, it has been adopted to describe difficult or unlucky situations in general.