a huge upset

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That felt like a huge upset.

The New York Times - Sports

In a huge upset, "Crash" beat "Brokeback Mountain" and "Munich" to win Best Picture.

The New Yorker

It wasn't a huge upset to us that we beat Miami.

The New York Times - Sports

Texas Tech pulled a huge upset in October last season, upsetting then-unbeaten Oklahoma in Lubbock.

The New York Times

"From the point of view of the relationship it was a huge upset, though.

The New York Times

Some polls put the Tories close behind Labour, threatening a huge upset by coming second.

The Guardian

I'm keeping everything crossed for a huge upset and a place in the quarter-finals.

The Guardian - Sport

That being said, a first-round series win over any of these teams would be a huge upset.

The New York Times

A year before Frazier's pro debut, Cassius Clay won the heavyweight championship in a huge upset of Sonny Liston.

The New York Times - Sports

A loss for Mr Romney in his home state would be a huge upset in the race.

The Economist

It was not until the Jets had pulled off a huge upset over the Colts that it became legend.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about an unexpected outcome, consider whether "a huge upset" accurately reflects the level of surprise and the context of the situation. If the outcome was only mildly surprising, a less emphatic phrase might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "a huge upset" is a strong phrase, avoid overusing it, especially in the same piece of writing. Using it repeatedly can diminish its impact. Opt for alternatives like "major surprise" or "stunning victory" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a huge upset" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It identifies and describes a specific type of event – one that is unexpected and often involves a significant shift in expectations or power dynamics, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sports

32%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a huge upset" is a commonly used phrase to describe an unexpected victory, often in sports, politics, or other competitive scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While the phrase is generally neutral, it is important to be mindful of overusing it. Consider alternatives like "major surprise" or "stunning victory" to add variety to your writing. It's frequently found in News & Media and sports contexts, making it a versatile expression for discussing surprising outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Remarkable upset

Similar to the original phrase, but with an added emphasis on the noteworthiness of the upset.

Surprise win

A straightforward alternative that emphasizes the unexpected nature of the victory.

Major surprise

This phrase is a more general term for an unexpected event, lacking the competitive connotation of an upset.

Shocking result

This highlights the surprise element of the outcome, focusing on how unexpected it was.

Stunning victory

This highlights the positive aspect of the unexpected win, emphasizing the victor's achievement.

Unexpected triumph

This phrase suggests a victory against the odds, similar to an upset, but places more emphasis on the positive outcome.

Improbable win

Highlights the unlikelihood of the victory, emphasizing the odds that were overcome.

Unexpected defeat

This emphasizes the losing side and the unexpected nature of their loss.

Astounding turnaround

Suggests a significant shift in circumstances leading to an unexpected outcome.

Seismic shock

This alternative suggests a significant impact, similar to an event that causes widespread repercussions.

FAQs

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

You can use "a huge upset" to describe an unexpected victory, especially when a weaker contender defeats a strong favorite. For example, "The underdog team pulled off "a huge upset" by winning the championship".

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

You can use alternatives like "major surprise", "stunning victory", or "shocking result" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a huge upset" or "an huge upset"?

"A huge upset" is correct. Use "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound, and "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound.

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

"A huge upset" refers to a very unexpected and significant victory, while "a minor upset" describes a less surprising or consequential victory. The difference lies in the degree of unexpectedness and the impact of the outcome.