a stroke of misfortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stroke of misfortune" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unfortunate event or circumstance that occurs unexpectedly. Example: "Losing my job was a stroke of misfortune that changed my life completely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In a stroke of misfortune for Celtic, Cristian Zapata's strike was deflected into his own net by Emilio Izaguirre.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was sad to see Giorgio Chiellini go lame after 20 minutes, and Antonio Cassano withdrawn at half-time, and then, in a stroke of terrible misfortune, Thiago Motta pull up only four minutes after coming on as the third and final substitute just before the hour.

The Guardian - Sport

He drops back to +1, but what a response to that stroke of misfortune.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet that abandonment turned their ancient misfortune into a stroke of luck for archaeologists today. .

Science Magazine

Sign up for the best of VICE, delivered to your inbox daily.

Vice

Since I had the misfortune of being mildly buggered by a stroke of my own last April, Al, once my co-sax player in a Dundee soul band in the 80s, has become a powerful old friend.

The Guardian - Music

Bad childhoods are a human misfortune, but for writers they are often a stroke of luck.

The New Yorker

In other words, we can believe that it was a stroke of luck for the cultural development of Germany or that it brought misfortune.

SEP

It was a stroke of luck.

The New York Times

It's a stroke of genius.

The New York Times - Arts

What a stroke of luck.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a stroke of misfortune" to describe a single, significant event that brings about bad luck or adversity. It is most effective when emphasizing the sudden and unexpected nature of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "a stroke of misfortune" for minor inconveniences. This phrase implies a substantial negative impact, so reserve it for events with significant consequences.

Linguistic Context

A stroke of misfortune functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its use to describe an instance of bad luck. The Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical standing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Science & Research

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stroke of misfortune" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an unfortunate or unlucky event. Ludwig AI validates the correct usage of the phrase. It functions as a noun phrase and is most commonly found in news and media, scientific and science-research contexts. While appropriate for both formal and informal settings, it is crucial to use this phrase when referring to significantly negative events, rather than minor inconveniences. Related phrases include "a bout of ill luck" or "an unfortunate incident", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bout of ill luck

Replaces "stroke" with "bout" and "misfortune" with "ill luck", slightly softening the impact.

a spell of bad fortune

Substitutes "stroke" with "spell" and "misfortune" with "bad fortune", suggesting a limited period of adversity.

an unfortunate incident

Replaces the figurative language with a more literal description of an unlucky event.

a piece of bad luck

Uses more common vocabulary to express the same idea of experiencing misfortune.

an adverse event

Employs more formal and clinical language to denote an unfavorable occurrence.

a tough break

Offers a more informal, colloquial way to describe an instance of misfortune.

a turn for the worse

Shifts focus to the deterioration of a situation, implying a misfortune.

an ill-fated event

Emphasizes the destined or doomed nature of the unlucky occurrence.

a calamitous occurrence

Highlights the disastrous and severe nature of the misfortune.

a setback

Focuses on the impeding effect of the misfortune on progress or goals.

FAQs

How can I use "a stroke of misfortune" in a sentence?

You can use "a stroke of misfortune" to describe a sudden and unfortunate event. For example: "Losing my job was "a stroke of misfortune" that forced me to reconsider my career path."

What phrases are similar to "a stroke of misfortune"?

Similar phrases include "a bout of ill luck", "a spell of bad fortune", or "an unfortunate incident". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is "a stroke of misfortune" the same as "a stroke of luck"?

No, "a stroke of misfortune" and "a stroke of luck" are opposites. The former refers to bad luck, while the latter refers to good luck or a fortunate event.

Can "a stroke of misfortune" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "a stroke of misfortune" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, consider the audience and choose a more formal alternative like "an adverse event" if the situation demands it.