a failing bid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a failing bid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to auctions, proposals, or attempts to achieve something that is not successful. Example: "Despite their efforts, the company submitted a failing bid for the government contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A 1987 Cadillac stretch limousine was custom-made by workers in a failing bid to persuade General Motors to keep open the Fleetwood plant where it was made.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nearly two years of presidential politics are finally coming to an end and it appears John McCain--oft of "gimmicks du jour --has decided to spend much of the final stretch blaming his failing bid on the Republicans' favorite whipping post: the media.

Huffington Post

And for those who think this type of arrangement looks familiar, a stronger type of asset lock-up was used in Dynegy's failed bid for a failing Enron.

The New York Times

Jansma and Zia led into the final deal, but bid a failing slam that was slightly worse than a finesse.

The New York Times

At university, in a bid to rescue a failing politics course while also avoiding the study of Marxist theory at all costs, I miraculously blagged myself a parliamentary internship.

Vice

The city council was in revolt over Booker's bid to borrow heavily from the bond market to repair a failing water system.

The New Yorker

It's a failing.

Independent

A failing middle-aged man?

Independent

It may, however, be a failing one.

The Economist

bolster a failing heart.

Forbes

"Such a failing is unsustainable".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an effort that ultimately didn't succeed, use "a failing bid" to emphasize the process of decline or the reasons behind the lack of success.

Common error

Avoid using "failing" multiple times in the same sentence or paragraph. For example, instead of saying "The company's failing division submitted a failing bid", consider rephrasing to "The company's struggling division submitted an unsuccessful bid."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a failing bid" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific instance of an attempt or offer that is not succeeding or has already failed, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a failing bid" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an unsuccessful attempt or offer. While its frequency is rare, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig confirms that the phrase conveys the lack of success in a specific effort, often to inform or analyze its outcome. For alternative phrasing, consider "an unsuccessful attempt" or "a rejected tender" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unsuccessful attempt

Emphasizes the lack of success in a more general way.

a losing proposition

Focuses on the unfavorable outcome or loss associated with the bid.

a doomed offer

Highlights the inevitable failure of the offer.

a fruitless endeavor

Stresses the lack of positive results despite effort.

a botched attempt

Suggests incompetence or poor execution led to the failure.

a collapsed negotiation

Specifically refers to the breakdown of negotiations.

a misguided effort

Implies the attempt was based on faulty judgment or planning.

a deficient proposal

Highlights the inadequacy or weakness of the proposal.

a rejected tender

Focuses on the formal rejection of a submitted bid.

a failed application

Highlights that the bid was formally discarded.

FAQs

How can I use "a failing bid" in a sentence?

You can use "a failing bid" to describe an offer or attempt that is not successful. For example: "The company's last hope rested on "a failing bid" to secure the contract."

What's the difference between "a failing bid" and "an unsuccessful bid"?

"A failing bid" implies a gradual decline or inherent weakness leading to failure, whereas "an unsuccessful bid" simply states that the bid did not succeed without necessarily implying a process of decline.

What are some alternatives to "a failing bid"?

Alternatives include "an unsuccessful attempt", "a losing proposition", or "a rejected tender", depending on the context.

Is "a failing bid" formal or informal?

"A failing bid" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in news or business writing. Consider the specific audience and purpose when choosing between it and more direct alternatives.