a terrible performance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrible performance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something did not meet expectations in a performance context, such as acting, sports, or music. Example: "The critics were harsh, stating that the lead actor delivered a terrible performance that failed to engage the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

It's not a terrible performance, just a terribly dull one.

The Guardian - Books

It was a terrible performance.

The New York Times

It was a terrible performance..

The Guardian - Sport

"When he sang 'Imagine,' it was just a terrible performance; he totally mangled it".

The New York Times

Nobody dies when you do a terrible performance, but you can learn something from it".

The Guardian

It is written in the lore of Hendrixology that this was a terrible performance.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

She gives a brave, terrible performance, but the movie would have been just too tame without her.

The New Yorker

"If we had played on the instruments that we had we would have had a really terrible performance," Mr. Ma said.

The New York Times

Even though consumer web and social media IPOs had a mixed (or terrible) performance on public markets last year, this category was still apparently really attractive to buyers on SecondMarket, with $2 billion of interest from potential investors.

TechCrunch

Among the headliners were Red Hot Chili Peppers, in their third Coachella appearance, and England's Stone Roses, who put in an almost comically terrible performance on the festival's opening night.

Los Angeles Times

Sprewell said that Jordan was pushing him in the back on the play and that the Wizards who were yelling on the bench probably influenced the official's call, but he did not use that as an excuse for his terrible performance.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a terrible performance", ensure that the context clearly indicates what aspect of the performance was lacking (e.g., skill, execution, preparation).

Common error

Avoid using "a terrible performance" as a generic critique. Provide specific details about what made the performance poor to enhance the critique's value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrible performance" functions as a noun phrase, where "terrible" modifies the noun "performance". It commonly serves as a subject or object within a sentence, describing the quality of an action or event. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a terrible performance" is a common phrase used to express strong disapproval of something that has been executed poorly. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While versatile, it's best used with specific details to avoid vagueness. Related phrases include "an awful performance" or "a dreadful performance", offering similar connotations. Its frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscore its relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an awful performance

Replaces "terrible" with "awful", maintaining the negative connotation but with a slightly different emphasis.

a dreadful performance

Substitutes "terrible" with "dreadful", implying a performance that inspires fear or aversion.

a subpar performance

Replaces "terrible" with "subpar", indicating a performance below the expected standard.

a disastrous performance

Emphasizes the catastrophic nature of the performance, suggesting significant negative consequences.

a lamentable performance

Uses a more formal term, "lamentable", to express regret or disappointment about the performance.

a shockingly bad performance

Adds emphasis to the poor quality of the performance with "shockingly bad".

a seriously flawed performance

Focuses on the presence of significant errors or weaknesses in the performance.

an uninspired performance

Suggests the performance lacked creativity, enthusiasm, or energy.

a forgettable performance

Highlights the lack of impact or memorability of the performance.

a train wreck of a performance

Uses a more figurative expression to describe the performance as chaotic and unsuccessful.

FAQs

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

You can use "a terrible performance" to describe something that went very wrong. For example: "The team delivered "a terrible performance" and lost the game".

What are some synonyms for "a terrible performance"?

Alternatives include "an awful performance", "a dreadful performance", or "a subpar performance" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "terrible performance" or "poor performance"?

"Terrible performance" is stronger and implies a more significant failure, while "poor performance" is a milder critique. The best choice depends on the severity of the situation.

What does it mean to give "a terrible performance"?

To give "a terrible performance" means to perform very badly or below expectations. It implies a significant lack of skill, preparation, or execution.