a lost case

USAGE SUMMARY

"a lost case" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in the context of a legal case to indicate a verdict of guilty or the belief that a case has been decided and cannot be changed. For example: "The defendant was found guilty, and the case was considered a lost cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"By coming here, at this moment in time, Hollande sends a very important message to markets and EU states that Greece is not a lost case and will make it," one official in the tripartite coalition government told me.

The Guardian - Business

Comparing ourselves to others is already a lost case - you are so very unique in your own makeup, history and purpose that comparison is a pure and utter waste of your energy.

Huffington Post

Lukyanova then takes a shot at "Human Ken Justin Jedlicaa, calling him a "lost case" who "simply [looks] awful".

Huffington Post

If he values what you say, then it will make him think that perhaps he isn't such a lost case after all.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Rather than fight a losing case, Westchester settled in 2009.

The New York Times

So it's downright mystifying that the Justice Department keeps pressing a losing case against a financial institution that was seized in — are you ready?

The New York Times

And Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri questioned whether prosecutors were encouraging conspiracy theories as a way to blame abortion rights supporters while abandoning a losing case.

The New York Times

Even in a loss, Rivera's arbitration award was the largest in baseball history, surpassing the $5.3 million Jack McDowell was awarded in 1994, also in a losing case.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, they will likely decide to continue to litigate a losing case in the Second Circuit, thereby costing both Bruno and the taxpayers additional untold millions and imposing a daunting burden on the aging former legislative leader.

Forbes

The Zardari government argues a losing case.

Huffington Post

It's helped exonerate 25 people and has yet to take on a losing case.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lost case", ensure the context clearly indicates a situation where there's minimal chance of recovery or success. This can apply to legal battles, personal struggles, or even business ventures.

Common error

Avoid using "a lost case" when there's still a reasonable chance of improvement or a potential turnaround. Prematurely labeling a situation as such can be demoralizing and inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lost case" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as a predicate nominative or an object of a preposition. It describes a situation, typically a legal matter or endeavor, that is considered hopeless or beyond recovery. As seen in Ludwig, the examples illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lost case" is a noun phrase used to describe a situation deemed hopeless or beyond recovery, as validated by Ludwig AI. Grammatically correct and commonly used, it conveys a sense of inevitability, with its usage patterns leaning towards News & Media and Wiki contexts. While its register is generally neutral, users should be mindful of the potential harshness of the phrase, especially when describing individuals. When more appropriate, alternatives such as "a hopeless situation" or "a futile endeavor" may be considered. These suggestions, guidance and analysis is backed by Ludwig’s extensive database.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A lost cause

Very similar, with emphasis on abandonment of the effort involved.

A hopeless situation

Emphasizes the lack of hope for improvement or resolution; focuses on the emotional aspect of despair.

A doomed scenario

Implies an inevitable negative outcome, with a sense of fate or inevitability.

A futile endeavor

Highlights the wasted effort in pursuing something without a chance of success.

A hopeless prospect

Focuses on the lack of potential for a positive future outcome.

A dead end

Indicates a situation with no possible progress or solution.

A non-starter

Suggests a project or idea that is fundamentally flawed from the beginning.

An exercise in futility

Highlights the pointless nature of the action, implying no valuable result.

A defeated proposition

Stresses that the idea or strategy did not work or was not accepted

A wasting asset

Describes something gradually losing its value or potential.

FAQs

How can I use "a lost case" in a sentence?

You can use "a lost case" to describe a situation where success is highly unlikely. For example, "After several failed attempts, the project was deemed "a lost case"."

What's a more formal way to say "a lost case"?

In more formal settings, you could use alternatives like "a hopeless situation" or "a futile endeavor" depending on the specific context.

Is "a lost case" appropriate for describing a person?

While it can be used to describe a person, it's generally considered harsh. It's often better to say someone "faces significant challenges" or is in "a difficult situation" instead.

What's the difference between "a lost case" and "a losing case"?

"A losing case" refers to an ongoing case that is likely to be lost, while "a lost case" typically implies the case has already been decided or that the chances of success are virtually nonexistent.