bent on losing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bent on losing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is determined or intent on failing or making poor choices. Example: "Despite all the warnings, he seemed bent on losing the game by making reckless decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Once a devout Muslim, he is now bent on losing his virginity at the belated age of forty.

The New Yorker

Instead, they give Google back the white hat they seemed bent on losing over murky Google Reader assumptions about which Friends are derived from vaguely visible Contact interactions in Gmail and Gchat.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A year later, I became hell-bent on losing my virginity, and Tyler seemed like a viable option.

Huffington Post

I didn't dare to think about the kind of 15-year-old girl who, being so hell-bent on losing weight, would visit such a creep in a strange city.

Vice

The sultan was bent on recovering Andalusia, lost in 1492 to the Spanish, resulting in the expulsion of Muslims and Jews.

The New York Times - Arts

All the sadder because Romania, with 23m people, oil and splendid farming potential, should be one of the richest countries in Eastern Europe.But in November, Romanians came to their senses and elected a president and parliament bent on recovering the lost ground.

The Economist

Here, clever Mr Primakov is bent on recovering Russia's lost glories.

The Economist

First, it would turn Bosnia into a rump Muslim state, resentful, aligned to Iran, prone to violence and bent on reconquest of its lost territories.

The Economist

Presumably the audiences who still regularly flock to Brahms concerts don't think so, but characteristically, Sir John Eliot Gardiner is bent on showing there is a lost Brahms waiting to be rediscovered.

The Guardian - Music

"You cannot take the chance, and I dare say no one would want us to take the chance, that you would lose somebody bent on the kind of evil I'm talking about.

The New York Times

Wake Forest (8-4), whish is bent on erasing its long tradition of losing, at least has some history.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bent on losing", ensure that the context clearly supports the idea of a strong, almost unwavering intention towards a negative outcome. This phrase is most effective when the subject's actions directly contribute to their predicted failure, despite potential alternatives or warnings.

Common error

Avoid using "bent on losing" when describing situations where failure is unintentional or purely accidental. The phrase implies a degree of determination, even if misguided. If the failure is due to external factors or simple error, a different expression, such as "suffering misfortune" or "making a mistake", would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bent on losing" functions as an adjectival phrase describing a subject's inclination or determination towards failure or negative outcomes. Ludwig shows that it is often used to characterize actions or decisions that seem destined for defeat.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bent on losing" is a phrase used to describe a person or entity that seems determined to fail, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically sound but relatively uncommon. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for news and media. Remember that this phrase implies intentionality or a strong inclination towards failure, so it should be used carefully. When a more subtle or nuanced meaning is required, consider alternative expressions like "determined to fail" or "intent on defeat".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determined to fail

This alternative emphasizes a conscious decision or resolve to not succeed, highlighting intent more strongly than "bent on losing".

intent on defeat

This option focuses specifically on the aim of being defeated, suggesting a strategic, though perhaps self-sabotaging, objective.

hell-bent on destruction

This phrase heightens the intensity, implying a reckless and potentially catastrophic pursuit of ruin.

set on self-destruction

This emphasizes the self-inflicted nature of the negative outcome, highlighting internal motivations.

resolved to undermine

This option implies a deliberate and calculated effort to weaken or sabotage something, often from a position of influence.

intent on sabotaging

Focuses on the act of sabotage which implies the person is actively working against their own or someone else's success.

determined to self-destruct

This highlights the proactive nature and the certainty of the negative outcome being self-imposed, and inescapable.

fixated on failure

This option implies an obsessive focus on the prospect of failure, rather than an active pursuit of it.

courting disaster

This suggests actions that significantly increase the likelihood of a negative outcome, often through recklessness or negligence.

asking for trouble

A more informal expression implying that someone's actions are likely to provoke negative consequences or conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "bent on losing" in a sentence?

You can use "bent on losing" to describe someone determined to fail, like in "Despite all the warnings, he seemed bent on losing the game by making reckless decisions."

What does "bent on" mean in the phrase "bent on losing"?

In the phrase "bent on losing", "bent on" means determined or resolved to do something, even if it seems foolish or self-destructive.

What are some alternatives to "bent on losing"?

Alternatives include "determined to fail", "intent on defeat", or "hell-bent on destruction", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "bent on losing" and "likely to lose"?

"Bent on losing" implies a strong inclination or determination, even if subconscious, toward failure. "Likely to lose" simply suggests a high probability of failure without necessarily implying intent or determination.