big failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"big failure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a major setback that someone experienced. For example: "John's big failure in the business world taught him a valuable lesson."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yes, a mighty big failure.

The New York Times

"It was a big failure," he recalled.

The New Yorker

Or perhaps the studio's first big failure.

The New York Times - Tech

"My big failure," Mr. Heiskell wrote.

The New York Times

"I am such a big failure.

Harvard Business Review

And that is another big failure revealed by the crisis.

The Economist

That seemed a big failure at the time.

The Economist

This was to be his big failure – his inconsistency.

The Guardian - Sport

Keynes's big failure was to recognise that distribution matters.

The Guardian - Business

If that happens, it will be a big failure.

The Guardian

"It had been viewed as a big failure," Klebanov says of his predecessors' work.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "big failure" to emphasize the magnitude or impact of a failure. It is appropriate when you want to highlight the significance of the unsuccessful outcome.

Common error

While "big failure" is widely understood, consider using more nuanced or formal alternatives like "significant setback" or "major shortcoming" in professional or academic writing to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big failure" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a substantial lack of success or a significantly unsuccessful outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

21%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "big failure" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes a substantial lack of success. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various writing contexts. While the phrase is widely understood, it's important to consider the context and audience. In formal settings, more refined alternatives like "significant setback" or "major deficiency" may be more appropriate. The analysis reveals that "big failure" is frequently found in News & Media and Academic sources. Remember to use "big failure" to underscore the magnitude of an unsuccessful outcome and to convey disappointment or criticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major setback

Focuses on the idea of a temporary impediment or delay rather than complete lack of success.

significant flop

Emphasizes the lack of success as being obvious or widely recognized.

resounding defeat

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the failure, often in competitive contexts.

colossal blunder

Stresses the error or mistake that led to the failure, implying a degree of fault.

complete washout

Suggests that something failed to produce any positive results at all.

utter catastrophe

Implies the failure was extremely damaging or disastrous.

dismal performance

Emphasizes the poor quality of the execution or results.

abject failure

Highlights the severe or humiliating nature of the failure.

spectacular failure

Suggests that the failure was especially noticeable or dramatic.

crushing disappointment

Focuses on the negative emotional impact of the failure.

FAQs

How can I use "big failure" in a sentence?

You can use "big failure" to describe a significant lack of success in various contexts. For example, "The project was a "big failure" due to poor planning".

What are some alternatives to "big failure"?

Alternatives include "major setback", "significant flop", or "complete washout" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "big failure" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "big failure" can sound less formal. Consider using alternatives like "significant setback" or "major deficiency" in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "big failure" and "minor setback"?

"Big failure" implies a substantial lack of success with significant consequences, whereas "minor setback" suggests a temporary or small obstacle that does not fundamentally derail progress.