a big failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"a big failure" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts to describe a significant or notable failure. Example: Despite their high hopes and extensive preparations, the team's performance at the championship was ultimately a big failure.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a big failure," he recalled.

The New Yorker

"I am such a big failure.

Harvard Business Review

That seemed a big failure at the time.

The Economist

If that happens, it will be a big failure.

The Guardian

"It had been viewed as a big failure," Klebanov says of his predecessors' work.

Princeton University

Our revolution in al-Khalidiya in Homs is a big failure.

The Guardian

But it was a big failure and only seven of the 13 episodes were shown before it was pulled.

The Guardian

"We can have a great Olympics, but if some steps aren't taken, it can be a big failure".

The Guardian - Sport

"It's just a big failure," said Dr. Richard Schultz, a developmental and reproductive biologist at the University of Pennsylvania.

The New York Times

Evidently, nobody took any of this into account an oversight that amounts to a big failure of leadership.

The New Yorker

"It's a big failure on the part of the labor movement," said Greg W. Giebel, the school's first provost and until recently president of its adjunct faculty union.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a big failure" to emphasize the magnitude of an unsuccessful outcome. It's particularly effective when you want to convey that the failure had significant consequences or impact.

Common error

While "a big failure" is widely understood, it can sound less professional in certain formal contexts. Consider using more nuanced alternatives like "a significant setback" or "a major deficiency" in business reports or academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big failure" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object. It identifies and characterizes something as having experienced a significant lack of success. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a common expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a big failure" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote a significant lack of success. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across diverse contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for news, academic, and professional settings, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain situations. While it effectively conveys disappointment or concern, writers should consider the emotional impact and choose synonyms such as "major setback" or "significant flop" to add nuance or soften the tone. Analysis of example sources on Ludwig.guru reveals that the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources, demonstrating its relevance in public discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major setback

Focuses on the idea of a temporary delay or obstacle rather than complete failure.

a significant flop

Emphasizes the lack of success, especially in a public or visible way.

a resounding defeat

Highlights the decisiveness and completeness of the failure.

a total disaster

Conveys a sense of chaos and widespread negative consequences.

a crushing disappointment

Stresses the emotional impact and unmet expectations.

a miserable outcome

Focuses on the unfortunate and undesirable result.

a complete washout

Suggests a thorough and irreversible failure, often in plans or events.

a monumental blunder

Highlights the error or mistake that led to the failure.

an epic fail

An informal way to describe a spectacular and often humorous failure.

a spectacular collapse

Implies a sudden and dramatic downfall.

FAQs

How can I use "a big failure" in a sentence?

You can use "a big failure" to describe an event or project that did not succeed, for example: "The company's new marketing campaign was "a big failure", resulting in significant financial losses."

What are some alternatives to saying "a big failure"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a major setback", "a significant flop", or "a resounding defeat" /s/a+resounding+defeat.

Is it correct to say "a big failure" or should I use another term?

"A big failure" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. However, the best term to use depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

What's the difference between "a big failure" and "a major setback"?

While both terms indicate an unsuccessful outcome, "a big failure" often suggests a more complete or significant lack of success. "A major setback" implies a temporary delay or obstacle that can be overcome.