a colossal upset

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a colossal upset" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or surprising defeat, often in the context of sports or competitions. Example: "The underdog team pulled off a colossal upset by defeating the reigning champions in the finals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

And yes, she knew that it would take a colossal upset for her candidate, William C. Thompson Jr., to beat Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

The New York Times

Presuming the Jets start Smith — and, at this stage, it will be a colossal upset if they do not — it will be difficult for them to return to Sanchez in the event of injury or underperformance.

The New York Times - Sports

In 2001, he pulled off a colossal upset and was elected Nassau County executive, the first Democrat in three decades to hold that position in the 55 percent Republican county.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

They found that efforts to fight malnutrition and disease would save many lives at modest expense, whereas fighting global warming would cost a colossal amount and yield distant and uncertain rewards.That conclusion upset a lot of environmentalists.

The Economist

What a colossal failure!

Independent

That is a colossal achievement.

The Economist

Safety is a colossal issue.

The New York Times

A colossal and inspirational figure.

Independent

This was a colossal understatement.

The New York Times

Zambrano was a colossal flop.

The New York Times - Sports

This was a colossal waste.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a colossal upset" when you want to emphasize the unexpected and significant nature of a defeat or victory. It is particularly effective in sports, elections, or situations where a major shift in power or outcome occurs.

Common error

Avoid using "a colossal upset" in everyday conversations or casual writing. The phrase carries a formal tone and is more appropriate for news reports, analytical articles, or situations that genuinely involve a significant and surprising outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a colossal upset" functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig indicates that it is used to describe a surprising and significant defeat or victory, often in situations where the outcome was largely unexpected. The adjective "colossal" intensifies the magnitude of the upset.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a colossal upset" is a noun phrase used to describe a surprising and significant defeat or victory. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for use in news and media contexts. While not extremely common, the phrase is well-understood and effectively conveys a sense of unexpectedness and magnitude. It's important to use it judiciously and avoid overusing it in casual settings. Related phrases include "a major surprise", "a stunning upset", and "an unexpected victory". The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of audiences, particularly in formal and analytical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a huge shock

Synonymous; implies that unexpected news or event has created a feeling of surprise.

a major surprise

This alternative is broader and could apply to less significant unexpected events.

a stunning upset

Replaces "colossal" with "stunning", maintaining the sense of surprise but with a slightly different emphasis.

a gigantic surprise

Replaces "colossal" with "gigantic", adding similar emphasis on size and scale of surprise.

an improbable win

Highlights the unlikelihood of the victory, similar in tone.

a momentous upset

Replaces "colossal" with "momentous", suggesting the upset is historically significant.

an unexpected victory

Focuses on the victorious aspect of the upset, downplaying the element of surprise magnitude.

a shocking defeat

Focuses on the losing party, emphasizes the element of shock or disbelief at the event.

a major turnaround

This phrase highlights the change in momentum or expected outcome, less direct.

a complete reversal of fortune

This option is more dramatic and implies a significant change in circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "a colossal upset" in a sentence?

You can use "a colossal upset" to describe a surprising and significant defeat or victory, such as in sports, politics, or business. For example, "The underdog team achieved "a colossal upset" by winning the championship".

What's the difference between "a colossal upset" and "a minor upset"?

"A colossal upset" implies a large, unexpected change with significant consequences, while "a minor upset" suggests a small, less impactful surprise.

What can I say instead of "a colossal upset"?

You can use alternatives like "a major surprise", "a stunning upset", or "an unexpected victory" depending on the context.

Is "a colossal upset" always related to negative events?

While "upset" often implies a defeat, ""a colossal upset"" can also refer to a positive outcome for the winning party, especially when they were heavily underestimated or expected to lose.