a modest triumph

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest triumph" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a success that is not overly grand or significant, often implying a sense of humility about the achievement. Example: "Winning the local art competition was a modest triumph for her, but it motivated her to pursue her passion further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The molded chocolate mousse is a modest triumph, designed to avoid raw egg whites.

The New York Times

The outcome appeared to be a modest triumph for Archbishop Williams, a bearded, Welsh-born theologian with liberal views on gay and lesbian issues who was enthroned as the archbishop of Canterbury in 2003.

The New York Times

By day's end, Obama came away with a modest triumph in his quest for support for his approach in fighting the extremists.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Indeed, locating a bag of rock salt had the aura of a modest lottery triumph.

The New York Times

In a day when a steady stream of exotic scientific speculations overwhelms the public imagination -- tiny superstrings vibrating in a 10-dimensional universe, invisible parallel worlds, wormholes tunneling through space and time -- a comfortable satisfaction can be taken from a modest technological triumph like NEAR.

The New York Times

But Schrader held it together, and his modest triumph is that he has made an elegant and sleek movie, artfully shot and tightly edited, on the cheap, though "The Canyons" might have been more fun if it had a trashier, or less austere, style.

The New Yorker

But the show is certainly a great vehicle and the Argentinian Elena Roger rides it in modest triumph.

The Guardian

In all, a minor triumph.

The New Yorker

In short, this story of a vulnerable institution in a spirited but depressed town is one of modest triumphs mingled with failures.

The New York Times - Arts

When the museum reopened in 2007 after a renovation, Holland Cotter wrote in The New York Times that it was "a vulnerable institution in a spirited but depressed town" whose history was "one of modest triumphs mingled with failures".

The New York Times

Although Ms. Campbell was producing such drawings before her Bronx residency, their fever-chart records of modest triumphs and high anxieties are tailor-made for an artist-in-the-marketplace occasion.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a modest triumph" to acknowledge an accomplishment without exaggerating its importance, especially when aiming for a tone of humility or understatement.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest triumph" when describing truly remarkable or groundbreaking achievements. It is best suited for situations where the success is real but limited in scope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest triumph" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig indicates this is a correct and usable phrase, and Examples showcase its use in describing accomplishments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest triumph" is a noun phrase used to describe an achievement that is real but not particularly grand or significant. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile, appearing in various contexts from news to lifestyle articles. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, suggesting its role in providing balanced assessments of events. When writing, use "a modest triumph" to convey humility or realism and to avoid overstating the importance of an accomplishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small victory

Emphasizes the limited scale of the achievement.

a minor success

Highlights the relatively insignificant nature of the accomplishment.

a limited achievement

Focuses on the constrained scope of the success.

a humble win

Suggests a simple and unpretentious success.

a quiet accomplishment

Indicates a success that is understated and not widely celebrated.

a measured success

Implies a success that is moderate and not excessive.

a restrained victory

Highlights the controlled and unemotional nature of the win.

a slight achievement

Conveys the minimal impact of the accomplishment.

a tempered triumph

Suggests that the triumph is somewhat subdued or qualified.

a subtle success

Indicates a success that is delicate and not immediately obvious.

FAQs

How can I use "a modest triumph" in a sentence?

You can use "a modest triumph" to describe a success that is not particularly grand or significant. For example, "Finishing the project on time was "a modest triumph" for the team, given the limited resources."

What can I say instead of "a modest triumph"?

You can use alternatives like "a small victory", "a minor success", or "a limited achievement" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a modest triumph"?

It's appropriate when you want to acknowledge a success while also downplaying its importance or scope. It implies that the achievement is positive but not extraordinary.

Is "a modest triumph" formal or informal?

The phrase "a modest triumph" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the specific situation and the tone you want to convey.