a shaky launch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shaky launch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the initial phase of a project, product, or event that experienced difficulties or instability. Example: "The new software had a shaky launch, with numerous bugs and user complaints flooding in during the first week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

First, it's that a shaky launch doesn't damn a system.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

After a somewhat shaky launch and a whole lot of complaints about some fairly rough bugs, RIM is set to release the first firmware update some time this week.

TechCrunch

Equally, having burnished her Eurosceptic credentials so energetically in Manchester last week, she may have been cheered by the earlier, somewhat shaky, launch of the "British Stronger in Europe" campaign by former M&S chairman Lord Rose in a fashionable East London hangout – an old brewery, but let's not make the obvious joke.

Independent

After the slightly shaky launch of their ultra-early milestone one release, Mozilla is back with more Fennec (otherwise known as "Firefox Mobile") goodness.

TechCrunch

The sad truth is that EA, like Activision Blizzard before it, might not suffer that much material hurt from SimCity's shaky launch, despite the outraged protest of frustrated Amazon reviewers.

TechCrunch

At one point, Quixote launches into a shaky lament, his armour rattling as he sings – impromptu percussion.

The Guardian

Prudential said a combination of enterprise drive constraints, a "shaky start" to the P5 storage launch, and increased competition a new blade server from Dell "caused hardware to underperform in the quarter".

Forbes

Democrats in and out of the Clinton camp have said that it would be difficult for her to launch a national campaign with a shaky base of support back home.

The New York Times

A shaky peace process between the Turkish government and the PKK, launched in 2012, broke down in July.

The Guardian

His brother Pierre, on the other hand after a shaky start as a painter in Paris set sail for America in the 1920s, where he launched himself as an art dealer in New York.

The Economist

A Shaky Start.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, clearly specify what experienced the shaky launch. For example, instead of saying "The launch was shaky", say "The product launch was shaky".

Common error

Avoid using "a shaky launch" without specifying what exactly experienced the "shaky launch". Providing specific details about the product or initiative makes the statement more informative and prevents ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shaky launch" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object to describe the initial state of a product, project, or initiative. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a shaky launch" is a useful idiom for describing the problematic beginnings of new products, services, or initiatives. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted, although relatively uncommon, typically appearing in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, be sure to specify what experienced the shaky launch to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "a rocky start" or "a troubled start" can provide similar meanings. Overall, "a shaky launch" is a valuable phrase for clearly communicating initial difficulties. Ludwig examples further emphasize how it's effectively used to convey this specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rocky start

Implies a beginning filled with obstacles and difficulties.

a troubled start

Focuses on the difficulties experienced at the beginning.

an unstable beginning

Highlights the lack of stability during the initial phase.

a problematic kickoff

Emphasizes the issues encountered right from the start.

a difficult commencement

Formal way of describing a troublesome beginning.

a bumpy ride from the get-go

Suggests many difficulties and challenges right from the beginning.

an inauspicious opening

Suggests the start was unfavorable or ill-omened.

a faltering initiation

Emphasizes the unsteady or hesitant nature of the start.

a precarious commencement

Describes the start as uncertain and risky.

a wobbly initiation

Describes an initiation as unsteady.

FAQs

How can I use "a shaky launch" in a sentence?

You can use "a shaky launch" to describe the problematic beginning of a new product, service, or initiative. For example, "The new streaming service had "a shaky launch" due to server issues and user complaints".

What's an alternative to "a shaky launch"?

Alternatives include "a rocky start", "a troubled start", or "an unstable beginning". These phrases all convey the idea of a problematic or difficult initial phase.

What does it mean to have "a shaky launch"?

To have "a shaky launch" means that the initial release or commencement of something, such as a product or project, is plagued with problems, instability, or difficulties. It suggests a lack of smoothness and potential for early setbacks.

Is it appropriate to use "a shaky launch" in formal writing?

While "a shaky launch" is generally understandable, in formal writing, consider using alternatives like "a difficult commencement" or "an inauspicious opening" to maintain a more professional tone. The appropriateness depends on the specific context and audience.