a curse of a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a curse of a second" is not a standard expression in English and may be confusing to readers.
It could be used in a context where you want to emphasize the negative impact of a very brief moment in time. Example: "In a curse of a second, everything changed, and I realized how fragile life can be."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Is there a curse of a second term?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For all its benefits, inherited wealth can often be something of a curse, allowing a second or third generation accustomed to living large the freedom to pursue pastimes both noble and nefarious.

Forbes

Benedict Carey's story rings true for those of us who, in our work, bear the fruit (or curse) of making a first impression.

The New York Times

Actually the Ninth Symphony is not quite Mr. Glass's last word on symphonic form: as a way of avoiding the "curse of the Ninth" — a superstitious fear shared by many post-Beethovenian composers that their ninth symphonies will be their last — Mr. Glass wrote a 10th at the same time.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite the best efforts, and cursing, of Ms. Fishman — a first assistant director now known as Bullhorn Betti — the photographers at the library, both amateur and professional, kept shooting.

The New York Times

In the tradition of the curse of the second term, President Obama's has gotten off to a rocky start with the Benghazi, the IRS and now the NSA scandals coming hot on the heels of one another.

The Guardian - Opinion

Following the Independent, several media outlets of the world began reporting that the real reason behind the President of Argentina adopting a young boy of twenty-one was to save his family from a mythical East-European curse of the nineteenth century.

Huffington Post

The curse of the second game struck.

The Guardian - Sport

13th over: Sri Lanka 96-3 (J Mendis 7, Sangakkara 12) Mpofu who took a bit of tap in his first over is back and Taylor must be cursing the lack of a third spinner.

The Guardian - Sport

Last month, following a two-year dispute arising from complaints made by family members about the portrayal of Harry H Corbett's late second wife, it was ordered to withdraw DVDs of The Curse Of Steptoe, a drama first shown as part of BBC4's 2008 Curse Of … season.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Last year, Blake got to work with personal heroes including RZA from hip-hop crew Wu-Tang Clan and ambient pioneer Brian Eno, who helped the songwriter navigate the curse of the "difficult second album".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a curse of a second", ensure the context clearly indicates that a brief moment had significant negative consequences. Consider rephrasing for better clarity if the meaning isn't immediately apparent.

Common error

Avoid using "a curse of a second" when a more common expression such as "a moment of misfortune" or "a split-second mistake" would be clearer and more readily understood by your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a curse of a second" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific, very short period characterized by misfortune. While grammatically sound, Ludwig AI indicates it's not a standard expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a curse of a second" is an uncommon way to describe a very brief period marked by significant misfortune. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI highlights that it's not a standard expression, which might lead to confusion. Its purpose is to emphasize the sudden and negative impact of an event occurring within an extremely short timeframe. Due to its rarity, consider using alternatives like "a moment of misfortune" or "a fleeting disaster" for improved clarity and broader understanding. Contextual awareness is essential when employing this phrase to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cursed instant

Uses a slightly different word order to emphasize the negative aspect of the moment.

a moment of misfortune

Replaces "curse" with a more general term for bad luck and emphasizes a single point in time.

a jinxed second

Replaces "curse" with a synonym that means bad luck, while retaining the reference to a specific instant.

a fleeting disaster

Conveys the sudden and destructive nature of the event, highlighting its brief duration.

a blighted moment

Indicates that the moment was spoiled or ruined by something unfortunate.

an instant of calamity

Focuses on the disastrous nature of the event while retaining the aspect of suddenness.

a stroke of bad luck

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the misfortune.

a split-second downfall

Emphasizes how quickly a negative situation can arise.

a snap of misfortune

Emphasizes the sudden nature of a misfortune.

a rapid reversal of fortune

Highlights a sudden change from good luck to bad luck.

FAQs

How can I use "a curse of a second" in a sentence?

You can use "a curse of a second" to describe an extremely short period of time during which something unfortunate or disastrous happens. For example: "In "a curse of a second", the accident occurred and everything changed."

What are some alternatives to "a curse of a second"?

Some alternatives include "a moment of misfortune", "a fleeting disaster", or "a split-second downfall". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a curse of a second" grammatically correct?

While not a standard or widely recognized idiom, "a curse of a second" is grammatically sound. However, its unusual nature may lead to confusion or require additional context for understanding. Ludwig AI suggests using alternatives for increased clarity.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a curse of a second"?

It might be appropriate when you want to emphasize both the extremely brief duration and the severely negative impact of an event. However, be mindful that this usage is uncommon and might require you to provide clarifying context.