a terrible move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrible move" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision or action that is considered poor or unwise. Example: "Investing in that failing company was a terrible move that cost us a lot of money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It was a terrible move.

The Guardian - Film

To The Economist's taste, this is a terrible move: we favour fluid migration, both on grounds of liberty and for practical economic reasons.

The Economist

It is clear, he says, that a price bump will be a terrible move made by a music industry only interested in short-term profits.

The Guardian - Tech

As Belichick sort of defended his decision, The Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy said even a day later, going for it on fourth down still looks like a terrible move.

The New York Times

In my mind, this was a terrible move for the Vikings".

Forbes

This is a terrible move by Microsoft on so many levels.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In February 1958, Albee sat down at a stolen typewriter; two days before his birthday he had finished a short play about an encounter between two strangers in Central Park, a terrible, moving vision of urban loneliness.

The Guardian

So this was a terrible, shortsighted move from New Jersey's point of view.

The New York Times

"Everyone said it was a terrible career move," said Mr. Neill, 62, whose title is actually president, not captain.

The New York Times

It seems like a disproportionate reaction towards the first Chinese artist shown at the Tate Modern.It also seems like a terrible PR move, especially after the peace prize debacle.It definitely doesn't seem like the international perception of China is high on its priority list.

The Economist

Researchers interested in the effects of sugar and complex carbohydrates on obesity only had to look at what had happened to the most senior nutritionist in the UK to see that pursuing such a line of inquiry was a terrible career move.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past event, use "a terrible move" to emphasize the negative consequences that are now apparent in hindsight.

Common error

Avoid using "a terrible move" in contexts where a more nuanced or specific adjective would be more appropriate. Consider whether 'ill-advised', 'disastrous', or 'unfortunate' might better convey the specific nature of the misstep.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrible move" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject complement or object of a verb. It describes a specific action or decision that is considered extremely unwise or unfortunate. Ludwig examples show this phrase being used to evaluate past actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a terrible move" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express strong disapproval of a decision or action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its use across various contexts, primarily in news and media. When using the phrase, consider its neutral register and whether a more precise adjective could better convey the specific nature of the misstep. Alternatives include phrases like "a grave mistake" or "a disastrous decision". To avoid common errors, ensure that the phrase is used when you have evidence of the negative consequences. By understanding these nuances, you can use "a terrible move" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a disastrous decision

Replaces 'move' with 'decision' and uses 'disastrous' to emphasize the negative impact.

a grave mistake

Substitutes 'terrible' with 'grave' and 'move' with 'mistake', highlighting the seriousness of the error.

an awful blunder

Replaces 'terrible' with 'awful' and 'move' with 'blunder', suggesting a clumsy or careless error.

a regrettable action

Uses 'regrettable' instead of 'terrible' and 'action' instead of 'move', focusing on the feeling of regret associated with the action.

a foolish step

Replaces 'terrible' with 'foolish' and 'move' with 'step', implying a lack of wisdom or foresight.

a misguided maneuver

Substitutes 'terrible' with 'misguided' and 'move' with 'maneuver', suggesting a poor strategy or tactic.

an ill-advised act

Uses 'ill-advised' instead of 'terrible' and 'act' instead of 'move', indicating a lack of careful consideration.

a calamitous choice

Replaces 'terrible' with 'calamitous' and 'move' with 'choice', emphasizing the disastrous consequences of the decision.

a pathetic attempt

Substitutes 'terrible' with 'pathetic' and 'move' with 'attempt', suggesting a weak and unsuccessful effort.

a damaging course of action

Replaces 'terrible' with 'damaging' and 'move' with 'course of action', highlighting the harmful effects of the decision.

FAQs

How can I use "a terrible move" in a sentence?

You can use "a terrible move" to describe a decision or action that had negative consequences. For example, "Investing all our savings in that company was "a terrible move", and now we've lost everything."

What are some alternatives to saying "a terrible move"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a grave mistake", "a disastrous decision", or "a regrettable action".

Is it appropriate to use "a terrible move" in formal writing?

While "a terrible move" is acceptable, in more formal contexts, consider using stronger and more precise language such as "a calamitous choice" or "an ill-advised act" to convey the severity of the situation.

What's the difference between "a terrible move" and "a bad move"?

"A bad move" suggests a general lack of wisdom in a decision. "A terrible move", however, emphasizes the significant negative consequences or impact resulting from that decision, often indicating a more severe outcome.