bring misfortune upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bring misfortune upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of causing bad luck or negative consequences to someone or something. Example: "His reckless actions seemed to bring misfortune upon his family, leading to a series of unfortunate events."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And/or the Cubs could do stupid Cubs things to bring misfortune upon themselves.

The Guardian - Sport

The most vigorous prose style was achieved by Abū Ḥayyān al-Tawḥīdī (died 1023), who portrayed the weaknesses of the two leading viziers, both notorious for their literary ambitions, "…with such bitterness," as Gibb remarks, "that the book was reputed to bring misfortune upon all who possessed a copy".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Indeed, the minister of the interior, Idris Naim Sahin (whose last name means "hawk"), has implied that the victims of the Uludere attack had brought misfortune upon themselves.

The New York Times

If nothing else, it could help put a stop to people whining piously about alcoholics not deserving help, medical or otherwise, because they've brought misfortune upon themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Potent or bewitched objects buried for the purpose of bringing misfortune upon a particular party are sometimes known as obia, and use of the word itself has in some areas been prohibited by law.

Britannica

Conversely, "four" sounds quite like "death", and so is believed to bring misfortune.

The Economist

We take a look at this and nine other well-known superstitions thought to bring misfortune to the masses.

Independent

Most of all they fear that disregarding Chinese culture, which holds that the living should not settle by the dead, will bring misfortune.

The Economist

Female performance of throat-singing was thought to cause infertility or to bring misfortune on the performers' menfolk for seven generations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Magic flourished in Polynesian society; everyone engaged in actions to ensure success in love, war, planting, or fishing or to bring misfortune to rivals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Storks were seen by the Slavs as bringing luck, and killing one would bring misfortune.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bring misfortune upon", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. It often implies a direct or indirect causal relationship between an action and the resulting misfortune. Ensure the context clearly establishes this connection.

Common error

Avoid using "bring misfortune upon" in overly casual or informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "cause bad luck" or "bring trouble to" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring misfortune upon" functions as a verb phrase that expresses the act of causing or inflicting bad luck or negative consequences on someone or something. Ludwig suggests it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bring misfortune upon" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of causing bad luck or negative consequences. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s a correct and usable expression. While relatively rare, it is more commonly found in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, consider the specific nuance you want to convey and ensure the causal relationship is clear. Avoid overuse in informal settings, where simpler alternatives might be more suitable. Consider alternatives such as "cause adversity for" or "inflict hardship on" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

visit calamity upon

Implies a sudden and severe disaster, more dramatic than general misfortune.

invite disaster for

Highlights the role of someone's actions in leading to catastrophe.

inflict hardship on

Emphasizes the act of imposing difficult conditions or suffering.

subject to ill fortune

Focuses on exposing someone or something to negative external forces.

cause adversity for

Focuses on causing general hardship or difficulty, broader than specific misfortune.

precipitate doom for

Implies hastening or accelerating a negative outcome, often irreversible.

endanger with adversity

Highlights the act of putting someone or something at risk of experiencing hardship.

sow the seeds of destruction for

Suggests a gradual process leading to ultimate ruin or failure.

draw bad luck to

Suggests attracting negative outcomes through actions or circumstances.

curse with ill fate

Indicates a supernatural element, implying a destined negative outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "bring misfortune upon" in a sentence?

You can use "bring misfortune upon" to describe actions or events that cause bad luck or negative consequences for someone or something. For example: "His reckless decisions seemed to "bring misfortune upon" his entire family."

What are some alternatives to "bring misfortune upon"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "cause adversity for", "inflict hardship on", or "invite disaster for".

Is "bring misfortune on" the same as "bring misfortune upon"?

While similar, "bring misfortune upon" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the direction of the misfortune toward a specific person or thing. "Bring misfortune on" can be more general.

What does it mean when someone says they "brought it upon themselves"?

This phrase means that someone is responsible for the negative situation or "misfortune" they are experiencing because of their own actions or choices.