bad outing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad outing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an experience or event that did not go well, often in the context of social activities or performances. Example: "The team had a bad outing last night, losing the game by a significant margin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

We had one bad outing".

The New York Times - Sports

"You're going to have a bad outing here and there".

The New York Times

Good outing, bad outing, it makes no difference.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't want all the hype to go for naught because he has a bad outing.

The New York Times - Sports

Lord Wolfson has enough goodwill in the bank to be forgiven a bad outing or two.

Independent

"Not just to get there after a bad outing, but just to get there.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

We all have bad outings.

The New York Times

(Johnny) Cueto has had some good and bad outings.

The New York Times

"Some people would consider our bad outings their best outings.

The New York Times - Sports

"He had only a couple bad outings, but we all see that plus stuff.

The New York Times

The weather, which others had used to account for Perez's previous bad outings, would not be a factor.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bad outing", consider the audience and context. It is generally suitable for informal and neutral communication, especially in sports or performance-related discussions. For formal or professional settings, consider alternatives like "poor performance" or "unsuccessful attempt".

Common error

Avoid using "bad outing" in formal reports or business communications. Opt for more professional terms like "below-expectation performance" or "unsuccessful execution" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad outing" functions as a noun phrase where "bad" is an adjective modifying the noun "outing". It serves to describe a specific instance of poor performance or an unpleasant experience. Ludwig examples show it's commonly used in sports and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bad outing" is a commonly used phrase that effectively describes a negative experience or poor performance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely understood, primarily in News & Media contexts. While acceptable in neutral and informal settings, consider more formal alternatives like "poor performance" or "unsuccessful attempt" in professional or academic writing. Remember to tailor your language to your audience and the specific context to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor performance

Focuses on the quality of the performance itself, rather than the entire event.

unsuccessful attempt

Emphasizes the failure to achieve a desired outcome.

disappointing result

Highlights the feeling of letdown caused by the negative outcome.

unfortunate experience

Broader term that covers any kind of negative or unpleasant event.

failed endeavor

More formal and emphasizes the effort put into the unsuccessful activity.

rough patch

Suggests a temporary period of difficulty or poor performance.

setback

Highlights the impediment to progress caused by the negative event.

unfavorable showing

Formal and focuses on the presentation or display of performance.

poor showing

Slightly less formal than 'unfavorable showing' but retains the same focus on performance display.

mishap

Implies a minor accident or unfortunate event that caused the negative outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad outing" to describe a subpar performance or experience. For example, "The team had a "bad outing" last night, losing the game by a significant margin" or "The CEO considered the product launch a "bad outing", as sales were significantly below expectations."

What are some alternatives to "bad outing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "poor performance", "unsuccessful attempt", or "disappointing result".

Is "bad outing" appropriate for formal writing?

While "bad outing" is widely understood, it may be too informal for formal writing. In those cases, consider using terms such as "subpar performance" or "below expectation result".

What makes "bad outing" different from "poor performance"?

"Bad outing" often refers to a specific event or instance where something went wrong, while "poor performance" is a more general term that can describe a consistent trend or overall quality.