bad lap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad lap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to racing, sports, or any situation where performance is being evaluated, indicating a poor performance during a specific lap or round. Example: "After reviewing the race data, it was clear that my bad lap in the third round cost me the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I did the first try and it was not a bad lap but I saw I was missing some time in a couple of corners and I saw that the lap time was not so far away from Kimi and Lewis.

The New York Times

"I did a bad lap time three laps from the end and I lost the race there," said Pedrosa.

BBC

Button said: "Today on hards I did a one minute 22.8 seconds, which I don't think is a bad lap with the fuel that we had on board.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Breaking Bad victory lap continued as the show took honours for outstanding dramatic cast and for lead actor Bryan Cranston.

The Guardian

"I had a pretty bad first lap today, but after that I was able to recover and get the most of our race," he said.

BBC

Events suggest that the description still applies.The bad news lapping at Mr Reid's feet of late bears an ominous resemblance to that which sank his predecessor, Charles Clarke.

The Economist

A few months before, Wall Street might have shrugged off the bad news and lapped up the new shares.

The New York Times

Three seconds off the pace each lap is bad enough, but five is close to catastrophic.

BBC

More bad news: Nick Heidfeld recorded fastest lap of the race: 1 35.366.

The New York Times

That's definitely true, though people who work with it mostly on their lap (which is bad for your spine), would be better off with a traditional laptop.

The Guardian - Tech

"I just made a bad decision on the third lap.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific instance of poor performance in racing or another timed activity, use "bad lap" to clearly indicate a substandard performance during that particular round.

Common error

Avoid using "bad lap" to describe overall performance over multiple rounds or races. Instead, use phrases like "poor performance" or "inconsistent results" to convey a broader sense of inadequacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad lap" functions as an adjective-noun combination, modifying the noun "lap" to indicate its poor quality or performance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable in written English. The available examples showcase its usage in sports and racing contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bad lap" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to describe a poor performance during a single circuit or round, particularly in racing and sports. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While it's generally neutral in tone, more formal language may be preferable in professional settings. The term is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, used to pinpoint specific instances of subpar performance. While "bad lap" is correct, consider alternatives like "poor lap" or "subpar lap" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor circuit

Replaces "lap" with "circuit", maintaining the meaning of an unsuccessful round or course.

subpar lap

Uses "subpar" as a synonym for "bad", indicating a performance below the expected standard.

terrible lap

Emphasizes the poor quality of the lap with a stronger adjective.

awful lap

Similar to "terrible lap", highlighting the unpleasant or poor nature of the lap.

unsatisfactory lap

Indicates that the lap did not meet expectations or requirements.

deficient lap

Highlights the lack of quality or completeness in the lap performance.

flawed lap

Focuses on the imperfections or mistakes made during the lap.

weak lap

Suggests a lack of strength or effectiveness in the lap.

failed lap

Indicates that the attempt at completing the lap was unsuccessful.

disastrous lap

Implies a lap filled with unfortunate events or mistakes, resulting in a very poor outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "bad lap" in a sentence?

You can use "bad lap" to describe a poor performance in racing or other timed activities. For example: "The driver's "bad lap" in the second round cost him the lead."

What are some alternatives to saying "bad lap"?

Alternatives include "poor lap", "subpar lap", or "terrible lap", depending on the intensity you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "bad lap" in a formal context?

While "bad lap" is generally understandable, in formal contexts it's preferable to use more precise and professional terms like "unsatisfactory lap time" or "below-average performance".

What's the difference between "bad lap" and "bad race"?

"Bad lap" refers to a single circuit or round within a race, while "bad race" describes the overall performance throughout the entire event. A driver can have a "bad lap" but still recover and have a good race overall.