bout of bad luck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bout of bad luck" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of misfortune or unfortunate events that someone is experiencing. Example: "After a long bout of bad luck, she finally received some good news about her job application."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Ngowa had put up the statues to stop a bout of bad luck, including failed harvests and the death of many of his livestock.

The New York Times

An explosion on the set of Peter Jackson's film version of "The Hobbit" is the latest bout of bad luck to befall the project, though a publicist for the movie said no one had been seriously injured in the incident.

The New York Times

These programs are almost always temporary means for hardworking people to stay afloat while they try to find a new job, or going to school to retrain themselves for the jobs that are out there, or sometimes just to cope with a bout of bad luck.

The Washington Post

Galaxy Entertainment Group said on Wednesday that it suffered from a bout of "bad luck in gaming operations" during the first half of the year.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But this season, Johansson's slumps or bouts of bad luck haven't lasted very long.

The Washington Post

Crashes, punctures and other bouts of bad luck (Cavendish turned up in Corsica on antibiotics for a case of bronchitis) happen, but defeats in one-on-one sprints?

BBC

His back-story is long and complicated and filled with bouts of bad luck that started with a divorce in Pennsylvania.

Los Angeles Times

Don't blame yourself for things that weren't in your control, and learn to accept the bouts of bad luck and to work against them, instead of using them as excuses for your present situation.

WikiHow

"It's a bit of bad luck".

The Guardian

The headcount is another bit of bad luck.

The Economist

A close call, another bit of bad luck.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bout of bad luck", provide context to what kind of events led to this period of misfortune. For example, specify if it relates to health, finance, or relationships to give more clarity.

Common error

Avoid attributing every negative event to a "bout of bad luck". Some situations may be the result of poor planning, negligence, or other factors that are within your control.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bout of bad luck" functions as a noun phrase, serving to describe a period characterized by misfortune or unfavorable circumstances. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered correct and usable. It highlights a temporary state of adversity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bout of bad luck" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a period of misfortune. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English, although it appears with relative infrequency. Predominantly used in news and media, it carries a neutral to slightly informal tone. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide context to clarify the nature of the misfortunes and to avoid overusing it as an explanation for events that may have other underlying causes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

period of misfortune

Replaces "bad luck" with "misfortune" and "bout" with "period", focusing on the unfortunate time frame.

spell of ill fortune

Substitutes "bad luck" with "ill fortune" and "bout" with "spell", emphasizing the unfavorable nature of events.

streak of misfortune

Uses "streak" instead of "bout", suggesting a continuous run of unfortunate events.

unlucky episode

Replaces "bout of bad luck" with a single term indicating an unlucky event.

patch of tough times

Emphasizes the difficulty and duration of the unlucky period.

series of unfortunate events

Highlights the sequence of events that constitute the bad luck.

run of unfavorable circumstances

Focuses on the adverse conditions experienced.

chain of mishaps

Highlights a linked sequence of unfortunate incidents.

wave of adversity

Suggests a powerful and overwhelming series of unfortunate occurrences.

time of hardship

Focuses on the difficulties and suffering experienced during this period.

FAQs

How can I use "bout of bad luck" in a sentence?

You can use "bout of bad luck" to describe a period of misfortune. For example, "After a long bout of bad luck, she finally received some good news."

What can I say instead of "bout of bad luck"?

You can use alternatives like "period of misfortune", "spell of ill fortune", or "streak of misfortune" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "bout of bad luck" in formal writing?

While "bout of bad luck" is understandable, more formal alternatives like "period of misfortune" or "series of unfortunate events" may be preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "bout of bad luck" and "bit of bad luck"?

"Bout of bad luck" suggests a period or instance of general misfortune, whereas "bit of bad luck" implies a single, often smaller, instance of misfortune.