a terrible shot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrible shot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is not skilled at shooting, whether in sports like basketball or in contexts like photography. Example: "Despite practicing for weeks, he still proved to be a terrible shot during the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The only poor shot I hit was the tee shot there at 5. It was just a terrible shot.

The New York Times - Sports

A terrible shot.

The Guardian - Sport

And then slices a terrible shot into Rae's Creek!

The Guardian - Sport

Considering the circumstances, it was a terrible shot.

The New York Times - Sports

I had a terrible shot and he tipped it in".

The New York Times - Sports

"My very first hole was just a duck hook, just a terrible shot," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Will do Andrea, although surely overwork, not God, is to blame for the RSI? 21st over: England 126-4 (Collingwood 0, Blackwell 9) Amazing - Van Bunge takes another wicket with a long hop; Knight finding Zuiderent at mid-off with a terrible, terrible shot.

The Guardian - Sport

You are going to be a fucking terrible shot, the gun is going to be loud and kick harder than you expected, and they are going to have to put the target upside down so that you will actually come close to hitting Osama's turban, but once those first five rounds leave the chamber you are never going to want to stop.

Vice

You can only take aim at enemy soldiers by running directly toward them, and the only reason you can survive when heavily outnumbered is because, as is generally the case in the "Star Wars" movies, the bad guys are all terrible shots.

The New York Times - Tech

Keegan Bradley dunked a terrible pitch shot in the water on No. 15 to take a triple bogey while Robert Karlsson was dropping two shots with unsteady bogeys at No. 16 and 17.

The New York Times

"At No. 8, I hit a terrible tee shot.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a shot, follow "a terrible shot" with details to explain why it was so bad. For example, "a terrible shot that landed in the water hazard".

Common error

Avoid simply stating "it was a terrible shot" without explaining why it was bad. Provide specific details like where it landed, how far off target it was, or what the consequences were.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrible shot" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying the noun "shot" with the adjective "terrible." Ludwig AI confirms its usage. It is often used to describe a specific instance of poor performance in sports or other activities requiring precision.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a terrible shot" is a commonly used descriptive phrase that indicates a poor or unsuccessful attempt, most frequently in sports and news contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. While generally neutral in tone, it expresses disapproval. When using this phrase, providing specific details about the shot's shortcomings enhances clarity and impact. Alternatives include "a dreadful shot", "a poor shot" and "an awful shot".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dreadful shot

Replaces "terrible" with "dreadful", emphasizing the unpleasantness of the shot.

an awful shot

Substitutes "terrible" with "awful", indicating the shot's poor quality.

a poor shot

Uses "poor" instead of "terrible", offering a more mild assessment.

a pathetic shot

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the shot, using a stronger emotional descriptor.

a woeful shot

Replaces "terrible" with "woeful", highlighting the shot's disappointing nature.

a disastrous shot

Indicates the shot led to very negative consequences.

a misfired shot

Focuses on the shot not going as planned or intended.

a bungled shot

Highlights the clumsiness or lack of skill involved in the shot.

an errant shot

Emphasizes the shot's deviation from the intended target or path.

a wayward shot

Similar to errant, focusing on the shot lacking direction or control.

FAQs

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

You can use "a terrible shot" to describe an attempt or strike that went poorly. For example: "He made "a terrible shot" and missed the target completely."

What's another way to say "a terrible shot"?

Alternatives include "a dreadful shot", "a poor shot", or "an awful shot". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a terrible shot"?

Yes, describing something as "a terrible shot" is inherently negative. It implies a significant flaw or failure in the attempt.

What kind of shot are people usually describing when using the phrase "a terrible shot"?

While the phrase can apply to various contexts, it's frequently used in sports like golf or basketball to describe a poorly executed attempt at hitting a ball or making a basket. It can also apply to photography if the shot wasn't well framed, or the lighting was off, for example.