a hideous loss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hideous loss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or deeply upsetting loss, often in contexts related to personal experiences, sports, or events. Example: "The team suffered a hideous loss in the championship game, leaving fans devastated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the game that followed the Ohio State triumph, U.S.C. suffered a hideous loss in Corvallis, Ore., to lightly regarded Oregon State.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Today, however, the Jets have a 4-4 record while the Giants are 5-4, after losing four straight, including a hideous 21-20 loss at home on Sunday to San Diego, on a touchdown in the closing seconds.

The New York Times

We wrote a book with an entire chapter on Wells Fargo and an entire chapter on American Express, which are two good examples of companies that we think are going to face hideous losses and do not currently have enough equity and loss reserves on the their balance sheet to cover all of the losses, which is why many people are short those stocks.

Forbes

It's because the opportunity for Democrats to reverse the hideous losses of 2014 are so great.

Huffington Post

5/10 GW That's a hideous look.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Revs are 1-1-1 1-1-1 1-1-1s year (including the USOC win), but the loss was a hideous one: a 4-1 thrashing in New Jersey, and a reminder of the power RBNY can bring on their home pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

This is a hideous problem.

Independent

It's a "hideous hyena mating call".

The New Yorker

So. "A hideous time ahead".

The Guardian

A hideous but warm sweater?

The Guardian

"Just like a hideous car accident".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hideous loss" to emphasize the severity and unpleasantness of the loss, particularly when emotional impact is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "hideous" to describe minor inconveniences or trivial losses. Reserve it for situations that genuinely evoke a sense of disgust or horror. For less severe cases, consider using gentler terms like "unfortunate" or "disappointing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hideous loss" functions as a noun phrase, where 'hideous' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'loss'. As noted by Ludwig AI, it describes a particularly unpleasant or shocking defeat.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a hideous loss" is a noun phrase used to describe a particularly unpleasant or shocking defeat, according to Ludwig AI. It functions to express not just the fact of a loss but also the intense negative emotional reaction to it. While grammatically correct and suitable for neutral contexts like news reporting, it is relatively rare. Related phrases include ""a terrible defeat"" and ""a devastating setback"". Reserve "hideous" for situations that genuinely evoke a sense of disgust or horror, avoiding overuse in trivial matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an awful loss

Replaces "hideous" with "awful", providing a less intense but similar expression.

a terrible defeat

Replaces "hideous" with "terrible", softening the intensity of the loss.

a painful loss

Replaces "hideous" with "painful", focusing on the emotional distress caused by the loss.

a devastating setback

Substitutes "loss" with "setback" and "hideous" with "devastating", emphasizing the negative impact.

a crushing defeat

Replaces "loss" with "defeat" and "hideous" with "crushing", highlighting the overwhelming nature of the loss.

a bitter defeat

Uses "bitter" instead of "hideous" to describe the defeat, focusing on the feeling of resentment and disappointment.

a disgraceful defeat

Replaces "hideous" with "disgraceful", focusing on the shame associated with the loss.

a shameful loss

Similar to 'a disgraceful defeat', but uses 'shameful' to express the feeling of disgrace associated with the loss.

a calamitous failure

Replaces "loss" with "failure" and "hideous" with "calamitous", emphasizing the disastrous nature of the event.

an ignominious defeat

Replaces "hideous" with "ignominious", adding a sense of public shame and humiliation.

FAQs

How can I use "a hideous loss" in a sentence?

You can use "a hideous loss" to describe a defeat or misfortune that is particularly unpleasant or shocking. For example, "The team suffered "a hideous loss" in the final game of the season".

What can I say instead of "a hideous loss"?

Alternatives to "a hideous loss" include "a terrible defeat", "a devastating setback", or "a crushing defeat", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a hideous loss"?

The phrase "a hideous loss" is appropriate when describing a defeat or setback that is not only significant but also deeply unpleasant or morally repugnant. It is suitable for situations where the negative impact is intensely felt.

What is the difference between "a hideous loss" and "a significant loss"?

"A significant loss" simply implies a loss that is important or noteworthy. "A hideous loss" adds the connotation of being extremely unpleasant, shocking, or morally offensive.