a poor shot

USAGE SUMMARY

"a poor shot" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a failed attempt at doing something, or something that was done in a substandard way. For example, "He took a poor shot at the basketball hoop and missed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mulligan -- (noun)  A golf shot not tallied against the score, granted in informal play after a poor shot especially from the tee.

Huffington Post

He eventually gets a poor shot away.

The Guardian - Sport

Or he'll call a poor shot a poor shot, and not look for excuses.

The Guardian - Sport

They laughed, but rarely grimaced at a poor shot.

The New York Times - Sports

I hit a poor shot because I really wasn't focused".

The New York Times - Sports

Still a poor shot, but most outs are.

The Guardian - Sport

That's a poor shot, really, a loss of concentration.

The Guardian - Sport

He hit a poor shot into the sand, a poor shot out of the sand and missed a 12-footer for par.

The New York Times

"I hit a poor shot, a poor chip and a poor putt".

The New York Times - Sports

When she hit a poor shot, she became so angry that she couldn't recover.

The New York Times

A poor shot, clipped up off his feet straight to Gary Kirsten at square leg.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a poor shot" when you want to describe an attempt that was unsuccessful due to a lack of skill, misjudgment, or external factors. It's suitable for contexts ranging from sports to general assessments of performance.

Common error

Avoid using "a poor shot" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language to describe deficiencies or failures, such as "an inaccurate assessment" or "a flawed methodology".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor shot" functions as a noun phrase where "poor" modifies the noun "shot". The phrase typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing an unsuccessful attempt. As Ludwig AI points out, it is generally a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a poor shot" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe an unsuccessful attempt, primarily in contexts like sports and news reporting. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in written English. While suitable for most general communication, it may be too informal for highly academic or professional settings. Alternatives like "a bad attempt" or "an inaccurate strike" can offer more precision. The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources, underscoring its neutral register and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bad attempt

Focuses on the failure of the attempt, without necessarily being specific to shooting.

an inaccurate strike

Emphasizes the lack of precision or correctness in the execution.

a deficient hit

Highlights the inadequacy or shortcoming of the hit.

an unsatisfactory throw

Indicates the throw did not meet the required standard or expectation.

a misguided effort

Highlights that the effort was based on a faulty understanding or approach.

a flawed execution

Emphasizes errors and imperfections during the performance of an action.

a bungled play

Implies clumsiness or incompetence in the execution of a planned action.

a weak effort

Focuses on the lack of strength or effectiveness in the attempt.

a regrettable action

Focuses on the negative consequences or feelings associated with the action.

a failed endeavor

Emphasizes the complete lack of success.

FAQs

How can I use "a poor shot" in a sentence?

You can use "a poor shot" to describe an unsuccessful attempt, especially in sports or activities requiring precision. For example, "He made "a poor shot" and missed the target completely."

What are some alternatives to "a poor shot"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a bad attempt", "an inaccurate strike", or "a misguided effort".

Is "a poor shot" formal or informal?

"A poor shot" is generally considered neutral and suitable for most contexts, but it may be too informal for highly academic or professional writing, where more precise language is preferred.

What's the difference between "a poor shot" and "a bad shot"?

While similar, "a poor shot" emphasizes the lack of quality or skill in the attempt, while "a bad shot" can also imply that the shot was ill-advised or strategically unsound.