a big disappointment

USAGE SUMMARY

"a big disappointment" is a valid phrase and is used in written English.
You can use it to indicate a situation or event that has not gone well. For example, "Failing my math test was a big disappointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's a big disappointment.

The New York Times

"It is a big disappointment.

Independent

"For us it is a big disappointment.

Independent

It was a big disappointment," Wenger said.

Independent

"But she was a big disappointment.

The New York Times

Sales were a big disappointment to Microsoft.

The New York Times

May's employment figure was a big disappointment.

The Economist

Our batting was a big disappointment.

The Guardian - Sport

"That is a big disappointment," he added.

The Guardian - Business

He said: It was a big disappointment.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was a big disappointment," he says.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a big disappointment" when you want to express that something failed to meet expectations to a significant degree. It's suitable for situations ranging from personal letdowns to broader failures in projects or events.

Common error

While "a big disappointment" is widely understood, it might be too informal for some academic or professional settings. Consider alternatives like "a significant setback" or "a major failing" for a more formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big disappointment" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or an object. Ludwig AI indicates it is used to describe something that has failed to meet expectations, causing dissatisfaction. It commonly follows verbs like "is", "was", or "became".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big disappointment" is a commonly used phrase to express that something has significantly failed to meet expectations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, primarily in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives like "a significant setback" or "an unfortunate outcome" in highly formal writing. To avoid overuse, explore related phrases such as "a major letdown" or "falling short of expectations" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major letdown

Emphasizes the feeling of being let down or failed by something.

falling short of expectations

Highlights the gap between what was hoped for and what actually happened.

a crushing blow

Highlights the severe and disheartening nature of the disappointment.

a source of great frustration

Focuses on the frustration caused by the disappointing event.

a significant disillusionment

Emphasizes the loss of faith or trust in something.

a real setback

Highlights the impediment or obstacle created by the disappointment.

a bitter pill to swallow

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting the disappointing outcome.

a missed opportunity

Focuses on the loss of a chance or potential benefit.

a genuine shame

Expresses regret and sorrow over the disappointing event.

an unfortunate outcome

Simply describes the result as undesirable or unfavorable.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a big disappointment"?

You can use alternatives like "a major letdown", "a crushing blow", or "falling short of expectations" depending on the context.

How do I use "a big disappointment" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something that did not meet expectations. For example, "The movie was a big disappointment" or "The sales figures were a big disappointment to the company."

Is "a big disappointment" too informal for academic writing?

While widely understood, "a big disappointment" might be too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using phrases such as "a significant setback" or "an unfortunate outcome" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "a big disappointment" and "a small disappointment"?

"A big disappointment" indicates a significant failure to meet expectations, causing considerable dissatisfaction. "A small disappointment" suggests a minor setback that does not have a major impact.