botched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "botched" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has been done poorly or ineffectively, often referring to a task or job that has been mishandled. Example: "The surgery was botched, leading to complications for the patient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Harry Maguire's botched headed clearance, under little pressure, dropped to the feet of Sean Kavanagh, who strode forward before picking out an unmarked Ross McCormack on the edge of the area.

The Guardian - Sport

Detectives are working on the theory that Kerr was shot as a result of a botched robbery attempt and that the gang had not intended to murder him.

The Guardian

When the acrobatics troupe botched an attempt at a complicated human pyramid, they laughed themselves hoarse.

The Guardian

Arizona added its name to the grisly list of death penalty states carrying out botched executions in July when it took almost two hours and 15 doses of drug to kill Joseph Wood.

The Guardian

One MEP after another expressed anger and frustration about the damage inflicted on the Greek people by the eurozone's botched bailouts.

The Guardian - Business

He reiterated a note of caution after the west coast franchising fiasco, which saw Virgin involved in legal tussles with the DfT after a botched process led to rivals FirstGroup being awarded the London-Manchester-Glasgow route.

The Guardian - Business

Even as a dad – even as someone who doesn't have to yank out a private part and let it swing around in public while a crying baby tries to attach his mouth to it like a refuelling jet – coffee shops are a nightmare of potentially botched etiquette.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some on Twitter wondered if Putin was suffering from a botched Botox injection, which he is widely believed to receive.

The Guardian

This is what appeals most to the Academy's palate and the cinemagoing public: not botched abortions, ghosts, nicotine enhancement, or criminals bursting into flames in the electric chair.

The Guardian

DPIC's report highlights the string of botched executions that occurred through the year, starting in January with that of Dennis McGuire who gasped and snorted for 15 minutes in front of his horrified children.

The Guardian

But whereas rightwing challengers in the Tea Party can lump public dissatisfaction with Washington, Wall Street and the government into one big anti-establishment message, radicals on the left have a finer line to tread, especially after Obama's botched healthcare launch led to such mistrust of their preferred public sector solutions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "botched" to describe a task or procedure that has been executed poorly, resulting in failure or undesirable outcomes. It often implies incompetence or a lack of skill.

Common error

While "botched" is widely understood, it can sometimes sound informal in highly formal or professional writing. Consider using alternatives like "failed" or "mishandled" in such contexts to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "botched" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something done poorly or ruined through incompetence. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment and the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "botched" is a common and useful adjective for describing tasks or procedures that have been poorly executed, often resulting in failure. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely understood. While versatile, "botched" is best suited for neutral to informal contexts; in more formal settings, alternatives like "failed" or "mishandled" may be preferable. Remember to consider the severity of the failure when choosing between "botched" and similar terms like "bungled" or "messed up".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

botched up

Adds emphasis to the act of botching something.

bungled

Suggests clumsiness and ineptitude in carrying out a task.

mishandled

Implies poor management or treatment of a situation or task, leading to a negative outcome.

flubbed

Indicates a clumsy mistake, often in a performance or public situation.

bumbled

Suggests a series of clumsy mistakes.

messed up

A more informal way of saying something was done incorrectly or ruined.

fouled up

Similar to "messed up", but often implies a more significant error or disruption.

muffed

Implies a failure to catch or handle something properly, often used in sports contexts.

screwed up

An even more informal expression for making a significant mistake.

spoiled

Indicates something has been ruined or damaged, often beyond repair.

FAQs

How to use "botched" in a sentence?

You can use "botched" to describe a failed attempt or poorly executed task. For example, "The surgery was "botched", leading to complications." or "The "botched" repair job only made the problem worse."

What can I say instead of "botched"?

You can use alternatives like "bungled", "mishandled", or "flubbed" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Which is correct, "botched attempt" or "botched up attempt"?

"Botched attempt" is more concise and commonly used. "Botched up attempt" is grammatically correct but can sound redundant, as "botched" already implies a failed or messed-up action.

What's the difference between "botched" and "bungled"?

While both words describe something done poorly, "botched" often suggests a more significant failure or serious consequences. "Bungled" can imply clumsiness or incompetence, but not always with severe repercussions.