a massive upset

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a massive upset" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase any time you want to describe something unexpected or shocking, like when a team that is not favored to win suddenly wins a championship game. For example, "The crowd was stunned by the results of the game, when the underdogs pulled off a massive upset and won the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Burkina Faso pulled off a massive upset over Ghana.

The Guardian

He has roughly a 3 percent chance of pulling off a massive upset on Tuesday, according to the model.

The New York Times

The only way we don't get that in the 2014 Fiba World Cup is if there is a massive upset.

The Guardian - Sport

Barring an unlikely afternoon whitewash it will not happen but the prospect of a massive upset remains very real.

The Guardian - Sport

They were, after all, witnessing a home player pulling off a massive upset, the equivalent of, say, British No 2 Dan Evans taking out Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.

The Guardian - Sport

A handful of tense points later, each ending off Mattek-Sands's racket, the American had taken the tiebreak, 12-10, on her seventh set point, putting herself a set from a massive upset.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

India's state assembly election results, considered a dress rehearsal for the 2014 general elections, drew huge voter participation and resulted in massive upsets in some states.

The New York Times

Massive upsets always happen.

WikiHow

Tony Parker is fresh off what could have been his best season in the NBA and, despite almost being sidelined by an eye injury that (seriously) happened when he got caught up in a nightclub brawl between the posses of R&B artists Chris Brown and Drake, is exactly the kind of guy who could lead a team to a massive first round upset.

The Guardian - Sport

Port Adelaide's finals hopes took a massive blow after an upset 17-point loss to Fremantle at Domain Stadium.

The Guardian - Sport

"When both of the top two teams in the country got upset, that was a massive day on the sports calendar that couldn't have happened if we'd had to make those decisions three or four months beforehand," Mr. Ben-Hanan said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a surprising outcome, use "a massive upset" to emphasize the unexpected nature and the significance of the event, particularly in sports, politics, or competitive scenarios.

Common error

While "a massive upset" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. More neutral or precise language may be more appropriate depending on the specific tone and audience, like "a significant surprise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a massive upset" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It denotes a significant and unexpected deviation from the anticipated outcome, often in competitive situations. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a massive upset" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significantly unexpected outcome, especially in competitive scenarios. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news and media to convey surprise and highlight the magnitude of the unexpected result. While versatile, be mindful of the context and consider using more formal alternatives like "a significant surprise" in academic or formal writing. Remember, this expression effectively emphasizes the unforeseen nature and impact of the event, making it a powerful tool for conveying surprise and highlighting the magnitude of the unexpected result.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an upset of epic proportions

Similar meaning, but more intense and hyperbolic. Suitable if you really want to emphasize the shock.

a major shock

Highlights the element of surprise and disbelief associated with the event.

a significant surprise

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event, using a more neutral term than "upset".

a surprising result

A more general phrase that denotes an outcome that was not predicted or expected.

an improbable win

Stresses the unlikelihood of the victory, emphasizing the odds against it.

an unexpected victory

Focuses on the winning aspect but highlights that it was not anticipated.

an unforeseen triumph

Highlights the unexpected nature of the success or victory.

a stunning defeat

Highlights the losing aspect for the side expected to win, framing it as surprising.

a dark horse victory

Specifically refers to a win by someone or a team not initially considered a contender.

a complete turnaround

Indicates a reversal of fortune or expectation, implying a significant change in circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "a massive upset" in a sentence?

You can use "a massive upset" to describe an unexpected victory or result, for example, "The team's victory was a massive upset, as they were not expected to win".

What's a good alternative to "a massive upset"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a major shock", "an unexpected victory", or "a significant surprise".

Is "a massive upset" formal or informal?

"A massive upset" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal and is commonly found in news and media. For more formal contexts, consider using more precise or neutral language.

What does "a massive upset" mean?

"A massive upset" refers to a situation where the expected outcome is dramatically overturned, typically resulting in a surprising victory for the underdog.