a lost chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lost chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an opportunity that has been missed or is no longer available. Example: "She regretted not applying for the job, feeling it was a lost chance for her career advancement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It was a lost chance all the way around -- but not the last chance.

The New York Times - Sports

John Key, whose brother was on the general's staff, fed the growing opinion that Antietam was indeed a lost chance.

The New York Times

Indianapolis Colts fans are still seething over what they perceive to be a lost chance to achieve glory.

The New York Times

While the Hokies kept their national title aspirations very much alive, Boston College will lament a lost chance.

The New York Times - Sports

That little hunger for a lost chance gets expressed only in my fantasies, which contrive themselves almost in spite of me.

The New Yorker

And this, too often, translates in a lost chance.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

For Belichick, however, the lost chance at a perfect season provided this year's theme: finish the job.

The New York Times - Sports

Clearly this is a novel of lost chances, of lost lives, of sadness and regret.

The Guardian - Books

Others, lost chances for parenthood.

Harvard University

Santorini offers not just a glimpse of a lost world, but a chance to be in two times at once.

BBC

The secutor stood by a lost net and left little chance to recover it.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about regret or potential consequences, use "a lost chance" to emphasize the negative impact of a missed opportunity.

Common error

While synonyms like "a tragic loss" or "a devastating blow" might seem appropriate, overuse can diminish their impact. "A lost chance" offers a more neutral yet effective way to express a missed opportunity without excessive drama.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lost chance" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific instance where an opportunity has been missed. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse scenarios, underscoring its adaptability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lost chance" is a grammatically sound and versatile noun phrase used to express a missed or unrecoverable opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is commonly found in news and media, science, and wiki articles, with neutral formality. While synonyms like "a missed opportunity" or "a squandered chance" exist, "a lost chance" provides a balanced and effective way to convey regret or missed potential. Remember to use it judiciously to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a missed opportunity

Emphasizes the failure to capitalize on a potential benefit.

a squandered opportunity

Highlights the wastefulness of not taking advantage of a chance.

a forfeited chance

Suggests that the chance was given up, either intentionally or unintentionally.

a bygone opportunity

Indicates the chance is in the past and irretrievable.

a dropped ball

Idiomatic expression meaning a mistake was made causing a failure.

a failure to capitalize

Focuses on the lack of exploitation of a favorable circumstance.

an unseized moment

Highlights the fact that a crucial moment was not taken advantage of.

a passed-over opportunity

Indicates that the chance was overlooked or ignored.

a blown opportunity

Highlights the fact that a chance was ruined through some action or inaction.

a missed boat

Idiomatic expression indicating a chance has passed and cannot be regained.

FAQs

How to use "a lost chance" in a sentence?

You can use "a lost chance" to describe an opportunity that was missed or is no longer available. For example, "Failing to invest in that company was a lost chance to make a significant profit."

What can I say instead of "a lost chance"?

You can use alternatives like "a missed opportunity", "a squandered opportunity", or "a forfeited chance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a lost chance" and "a missed opportunity"?

While the phrases are very similar, "a lost chance" emphasizes the feeling of something being gone or unrecoverable, while "a missed opportunity" simply focuses on the fact that the opportunity was not taken.

Is "a lost chance" formal or informal?

"A lost chance" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality makes it a versatile choice in various writing situations.