a lousy hand

USAGE SUMMARY

'a lousy hand' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something as being of poor quality or worthlessness, such as a poker hand. For example, "I got dealt a lousy hand and ended up losing the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

You get dealt a lousy hand; then, just when you think you're playing it fairly well, some joker comes along and raises the stakes to a deadly level.

The Guardian - Books

As a former poker player, he knows when to throw away a lousy hand even if he is being bullied into folding.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the time, he was deputy director of the C.I.A. under William Casey and admitted, in an earlier book, "From the Shadows," that, having been "dealt a lousy hand by the president and Congress, the Agency played it amazingly stupidly".

The New Yorker

It was, to be sure, a lousy hand.

Huffington Post

Shannon has been dealt a lousy hand, cancer.

Huffington Post

That even though some of the cards I was dealt in life seemed like a lousy hand, it didn't mean I couldn't play that hand the best way possible.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

And they've been handed a lousy deal".

The New York Times

After all, if the encounter is disastrous, he'll always have a good story: 'I slept with a sex columnist and all I got was this lousy hand job.' As a pedagogue of the prurient arts, we never get to be the naughty librarian in the bedroom, because to play against type would be to have sex like, well, like a librarian.

The Guardian - Books

You may think you got dealt a lousy genetic hand when it came to fat distribution, but what you might not know is that chronic fat around your midsection might be due to stress.

Huffington Post

But that ignores the lousy hand that fate, and Mr Delors, dealt the Italian.

The Economist

As usual, in Leonardland — and this aspect of his work has been undersung — the women, by instinct and by virtue of the lousy hand that society tends to deal them, outthink the men.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lousy hand" to express the idea of being dealt with unfavorable circumstances, particularly when discussing situations involving luck, fate, or initial conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "a lousy hand" when describing situations that can be directly influenced by effort or skill; it's more appropriate when referring to starting points or inherent disadvantages.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lousy hand" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or subject complement. As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes an unfortunate or unfavorable set of circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lousy hand" is a noun phrase used to describe facing unfavorable or unfortunate circumstances from the beginning. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it's more common in news and media, it can be used in general conversation. Related phrases include "a raw deal" or "a bad situation". When using this expression, remember that it is most suitable for describing inherent disadvantages or initial conditions rather than situations directly influenced by effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a raw deal

Implies unfair treatment or a disadvantageous arrangement.

a tough break

Indicates an instance of bad luck or misfortune.

a bad situation

Focuses on the overall circumstance rather than the initial disadvantage.

an unfavorable position

Highlights the disadvantageous nature of one's standing.

an unfortunate circumstance

Highlights the element of chance and negativity.

a losing proposition

Focuses on the likelihood of failure or negative outcomes.

a difficult predicament

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the situation.

a losing battle

Suggests a struggle where defeat is likely.

a hopeless case

Emphasizes the lack of prospects for improvement.

an unfair advantage

This implies that someone is favored or has an undeserved benefit

FAQs

What does it mean to be dealt "a lousy hand"?

Being dealt "a lousy hand" means facing an unfortunate or unfavorable set of circumstances from the beginning. It suggests that initial conditions are difficult or disadvantageous.

How can I use "a lousy hand" in a sentence?

You can use "a lousy hand" to describe situations where someone starts at a disadvantage. For example, "Despite being dealt "a lousy hand", she managed to succeed through hard work and determination."

What are some synonyms for "a lousy hand"?

Synonyms for "a lousy hand" include "a raw deal", "a bad situation", or "an unfortunate circumstance". All these phrases imply facing unfavorable conditions.

Is it appropriate to use "a lousy hand" in formal writing?

While "a lousy hand" is generally acceptable, it's more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more sophisticated phrases like "unfavorable circumstances" or "disadvantageous conditions".