a lousy mood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lousy mood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being irritable or unhappy. Example: "After receiving the bad news, she was in a lousy mood for the rest of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"They were in a lousy mood.

The New Yorker

Either way, there's a good chance you're in a lousy mood if it's 7 a.m.

The New York Times - Magazine

And when people are in a lousy mood I don't make a living".

The New Yorker

"You're in a lousy mood, and you should go to bed," Kate said, and Ed grunted.

The New Yorker

Sometimes, however, the President is in a lousy mood, or, as was the case last week, some grave event has made Presidential hilarity potentially unseemly.

The New Yorker

He thought of it as something he could stop by saying repeatedly that he didn't like it; he thought of it as a bewildering and embarrassing daily annoyance that put him in a lousy mood at work and at home too and made him rue the day he moved back to Buffalo.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

G, the phrase "could attract mosquitoes, not friends" is a pretty sure indicator my lousy mood had a bad effect on others.

The Washington Post

Despite my lousy mood over all this, I was fascinated by how the sites listed me and my book.

Huffington Post

Your lousy mood is contagious.

WikiHow

The idea is to let them know that you like them and enjoy being with them even if they're in lousy moods (that you want to hear about, too).

Huffington Post

It was a lousy idea.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "a lousy mood" with an explanation or reason. Help your reader understand the cause of the bad mood.

Common error

Avoid using "a lousy mood" repetitively in your writing. Vary your descriptions of negative emotions with synonyms such as "irritable", "glum", or "despondent" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lousy mood" functions as a noun phrase, where "lousy" modifies the noun "mood". Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and shows it being used to describe someone's emotional state.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lousy mood" is a grammatically sound and comprehensible phrase used to articulate a temporary state of unhappiness or irritability. Ludwig confirms its proper usage, although the examples suggest that it is more frequently found in news and media contexts, implying a relatively neutral level of formality. While acceptable in general conversation and writing, more formal contexts might benefit from utilizing alternatives such as "a bad mood" or "an unpleasant mood". Given its relative infrequency, it's advisable to avoid overuse and diversify emotional descriptors to maintain writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bad mood

Replaces "lousy" with a more general term for negative emotion.

a foul mood

Emphasizes the unpleasant or offensive nature of the mood.

an unpleasant mood

Replaces the more informal term with one that is more professional and emphasizes the negative aspect.

a grumpy disposition

Shifts the focus from a temporary state to an overall tendency to be irritable.

a sour temper

Highlights the bitterness and negativity associated with the mood.

an irritable state

Focuses on the easily provoked nature of the emotional state.

a depressed state of mind

Suggests a deeper level of unhappiness or sadness.

feeling out of sorts

Indicates a general sense of discomfort or unease.

in low spirits

Suggests a state of sadness or despondency.

down in the dumps

An informal expression for feeling sad or unhappy.

FAQs

What does "a lousy mood" mean?

The phrase "a lousy mood" refers to a state of being unhappy, irritable, or generally in a bad temper. It suggests a temporary negative emotional state.

Which is more appropriate, "a bad mood" or "a lousy mood"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "a bad mood" is more versatile and suitable for formal contexts. "A lousy mood" is more colloquial and best used in informal settings. You can find similar sentences if you search for "a bad mood".

What can I say instead of "a lousy mood"?

You can use alternatives like "a bad mood", "a foul mood", or "an irritable state" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "a lousy mood" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a lousy mood" may be too informal for professional or academic writing. Opt for alternatives such as "an unpleasant mood" or "a negative disposition" in formal contexts.