a lost opportunity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lost opportunity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a chance or possibility that was missed or not taken advantage of. Example: "Not applying for the scholarship was a lost opportunity that I regret."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some see this as a lost opportunity.

The Economist

That would be a lost opportunity.

The New York Times

For restaurants, it is a lost opportunity.

The New York Times - Food

I do see a lost opportunity".

The New York Times

"This is really a lost opportunity.

The Guardian

That certainly is a lost opportunity.

The New York Times

"It will be a lost opportunity.

The Guardian

Still, that may speak to a lost opportunity.

The New York Times

But, for about 30 minutes, a lost opportunity.

The New York Times - Arts

That makes "Dirty Pictures" even more of a lost opportunity.

The New York Times

We were both lamenting a lost opportunity in New York.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lost opportunity" when you want to express regret or disappointment about a missed chance that could have led to a positive outcome. Be specific about what was lost to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "a lost opportunity" without explaining what specific benefit or outcome was missed. Without context, the phrase becomes vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lost opportunity" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It identifies something specific that was missed or not achieved. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lost opportunity" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that conveys regret or disappointment about a missed chance or unrealized potential. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's frequently found in news articles, scientific publications, and business reports. Related phrases include "a missed chance" and "a squandered prospect". When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify the specific opportunity that was missed. While versatile, overuse without specific context can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a missed chance

Replaces "opportunity" with "chance", focusing on the aspect of a missed possibility.

a squandered prospect

Substitutes "lost" with "squandered" and "opportunity" with "prospect", emphasizing the waste of a potential benefit.

a forfeited advantage

Replaces "lost" with "forfeited" and "opportunity" with "advantage", highlighting the failure to capitalize on a beneficial situation.

a neglected possibility

Replaces "lost" with "neglected" and "opportunity" with "possibility", stressing the lack of attention given to a potential option.

an unexploited potential

Rephrases the idea to focus on the potential that was not taken advantage of.

a wasted potential

Highlights the waste of underlying potential.

a blown opportunity

Uses a more informal tone, replacing "lost" with "blown" to convey a missed chance.

a failure to capitalize

Focuses on the action that was not taken, rather than the state of being lost.

a setback

Indicates a reversal or delay in progress, related to missing an opportunity to advance.

a passing window

Uses a metaphorical expression that emphasizes a limited time for an opportunity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lost opportunity" to express regret about a missed chance. For example, "Failing to invest in renewable energy was "a lost opportunity" for economic growth".

What are some alternatives to "a lost opportunity"?

Some alternatives include "a missed chance", "a squandered prospect", or "a forfeited advantage", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "a lost opportunity" and "a missed opportunity"?

While similar, "a lost opportunity" often implies a sense of regret or finality, whereas "a missed opportunity" may simply indicate that a chance was not taken, without necessarily implying strong regret. Both expressions are frequently used and often interchangeable.

Is it appropriate to use "a lost opportunity" in formal writing?

Yes, "a lost opportunity" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when discussing business, political, or strategic situations where potential benefits were unrealized. The phrase is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports.