a wasted opportunity

USAGE SUMMARY

"a wasted opportunity" is both correct and an idiomatic expression commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which a person or group of people have not taken advantage of an opportunity that was available to them. For example, "The students' unawareness of the new scholarship program was a wasted opportunity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Politics

Sports

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a wasted opportunity".

The Guardian - Sport

What a wasted opportunity".

The New York Times

But it is still a wasted opportunity.

The Economist

"It is such a wasted opportunity".

The Economist

That was, indeed, a wasted opportunity.

The Economist

Which seems like a wasted opportunity.

The Guardian - Film

This was a wasted opportunity.

The Guardian

It's also a wasted opportunity.

The New York Times - Travel

Saying that, what a wasted opportunity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Seems a wasted opportunity to me.

The Guardian

"Simply walking is a wasted opportunity.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a wasted opportunity", ensure the context clearly indicates what the missed opportunity was and why it was valuable. This adds impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a wasted opportunity" when the potential benefit was unclear or speculative. Reserve it for situations where the loss is tangible and evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wasted opportunity" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies something, which could be an event, an action, or a decision, as a missed chance or unrealized potential. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and idiomatic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Books

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Sports

5%

Travel

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wasted opportunity" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express disappointment or criticism over a missed chance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and idiomatic nature. It appears frequently in news, books, and formal business contexts. Alternative phrases include "a missed chance" or "a lost advantage", each with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure the lost opportunity is clearly defined. Avoid using it when the potential benefit was vague. As shown by Ludwig's diverse examples, the phrase is versatile and applicable in various scenarios, making it a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A missed chance

Focuses more on the absence of taking action.

A lost advantage

Emphasizes the forfeiture of a beneficial position.

A squandered moment

Highlights the careless loss of a valuable instant.

A blown opportunity

Implies a forceful or decisive failure to capitalize.

A fruitless endeavor

Focuses on the lack of positive outcome or result from an effort.

A regrettable oversight

Pinpoints the disappointment due to failing to notice or consider something.

A forgone conclusion

Highlights that the result has been already discarded.

A failing strategy

Stresses the inadequacy or ineffectiveness of a method.

A lost cause

Highlights that the situation can't be resolved anymore.

A futile attempt

Focuses on the ineffectiveness and pointlessness of trying something.

FAQs

How can I use "a wasted opportunity" in a sentence?

You can use "a wasted opportunity" to express regret or criticism about a missed chance. For example, "Failing to invest in renewable energy was "a wasted opportunity" to combat climate change".

What phrases are similar to "a wasted opportunity"?

Alternatives include "a missed chance", "a lost advantage", or "a squandered moment". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a wasted opportunity" formal or informal?

"A wasted opportunity" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and tone than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "a wasted opportunity" and "a lost opportunity"?

While similar, "a wasted opportunity" implies that the opportunity was available but not properly utilized, whereas "a lost opportunity" simply suggests the opportunity is no longer available, without necessarily implying misuse. Think of "a lost opportunity" when is impossible to take that chance anymore.