a bad haul

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bad haul" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a disappointing or unsatisfactory collection of items, often in contexts like shopping, fishing, or treasure hunting. Example: "After spending hours searching for antiques, I was disappointed to find that it was a bad haul with nothing of value."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Not a bad haul.

The New York Times

3 wickets eh, not a bad haul.

The Guardian - Sport

Not a bad haul from a vicious vampire squid.

The Economist

"It's not a bad haul," said Jim Callis, executive editor of Baseball America, who closely tracks prospects.

The New York Times - Sports

One of the bands recently earned $180 at a gig — not a bad haul, except that 13 musicians were playing.

The New York Times

(At least, this formula accounts for Botticelli, Praxiteles, Schubert, Fantin-Latour, and the RCA Building — not a bad haul).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

That's £7.1 million worth of gold stolen in around five minutes, which isn't a bad little haul, all things considered.

Vice

Bad bowling does not, yipso facto, make a bowler bad When I predicted a big haul for Simon Kerrigan at the Oval, I had anticipated it being signalled in the space for wickets, not the runs column.

Independent

But he's always at loggerheads with the village, with Ellen, with Balstrode, the weather, the good fortune and the bad fortune, the good or bad haul of fish on any given day.

Huffington Post

There was none of that cloying claustrophobia that can leave you gasping for air on a bad short-haul.

The Guardian - Travel

It had been a tough haul.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bad haul" to describe a disappointing result of an activity where something is collected or gathered, such as shopping, fishing, or data collection.

Common error

Avoid using "a bad haul" to describe general failures or negative situations that don't involve collecting or gathering something tangible or measurable. For example, it's incorrect to say "The meeting was a bad haul" if you mean it was simply unproductive; instead, say "The meeting was unproductive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bad haul" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the result of a collecting activity that is considered unsatisfactory. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bad haul" is a noun phrase used to describe a disappointing collection or result, particularly after an effort to gather something. It's deemed grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig. While appropriate for many contexts, it is often found in News & Media and is considered to have a neutral register. Remember to use "a bad haul" when referring to a disappointing collection and not for general negative situations. For alternatives, consider "disappointing yield" or "meager catch", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a disappointing yield

Focuses on the quantity or amount produced being unsatisfactory.

an unproductive collection

Emphasizes the lack of worthwhile items gathered.

a meager catch

Specifically refers to a small and insufficient amount obtained, often in fishing or hunting.

a poor return

Highlights the unfavorable result or outcome of an effort or investment.

an unfavorable outcome

Focuses on the negative result achieved after an action.

an unsuccessful gathering

Implies that the attempt to collect or accumulate something did not go as planned.

a fruitless search

Highlights the lack of valuable finds after an extensive search.

a worthless accumulation

Emphasizes that the items gathered have little to no value.

a substandard selection

Refers to a collection where the quality of items is below expectations.

a deficient acquisition

Highlights that what was acquired is lacking in quantity or quality.

FAQs

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

You can use "a bad haul" to describe a disappointing collection or result. For instance, "After hours of fishing, we came back with "a bad haul" of small fish".

What's a good alternative to "a bad haul"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "disappointing yield", "poor return", or "meager catch".

Is it correct to say "a bad haul"?

Yes, "a bad haul" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe an unsatisfactory collection or result.

What does "a bad haul" imply?

The phrase "a bad haul" implies that the effort put into collecting something resulted in a disappointing or insufficient amount or quality of items.