come off badly

USAGE SUMMARY

"come off badly" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to appear or be perceived in a negative or unfavorable manner. Example: Despite her best efforts, Mary came off badly in the interview and was not offered the job.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Both women still come off badly.

The Guardian - Books

And indeed, men come off badly here.

The Guardian - Books

The men, mainly fussy and faithless, come off badly.

The Guardian - Books

"Some of the tricks will come off well, and some will come off badly.

The New Yorker

If The Economist used this measure regularly, cities that come off badly would complain.

The Economist

Las Vegas, not surprisingly, doesn't come off badly in this account of its mob-marred past.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Bascombe almost always comes off badly in violent confrontations.

The New Yorker

Los machos came off badly on all counts.

The Economist

But Hugo comes off badly by comparison with the golden oldies it celebrates.

Independent

A large and efficient commercial organization tangled with the national government recently and came off badly.

The New Yorker

The remote, superior Pope came off badly in comparison with his successor, the bon vivant John XXIII.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come off badly", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being perceived negatively and why. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "come off badly" without a clear subject. Ensure it's evident who or what is being perceived negatively. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "come off badly" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating that someone or something is perceived in a negative or unfavorable light. It's used to convey that an impression or outcome was undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come off badly" is a commonly used phrasal verb that signifies a negative perception or outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and frequently used in written English. Primarily found in news and media contexts, the expression serves to express negative evaluations. Alternatives include "appear unfavorably" and "make a poor impression". When using this phrase, ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Its widespread use across various sources ensures its recognition and applicability in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear unfavorably

This alternative replaces the phrasal verb with a more direct and formal expression.

be perceived negatively

This alternative emphasizes the subjective perception of the subject, rather than an objective failing.

make a poor impression

This phrase focuses on the impact the subject has on others, specifically in terms of creating a negative image.

fare poorly

This alternative is a more concise and somewhat formal way of saying something did not go well.

perform inadequately

This alternative focuses on the performance aspect, highlighting a lack of required standards.

turn out badly

This alternative describes an event that concludes with negative results, often unexpectedly.

not measure up

This idiom implies a failure to meet expectations or standards.

fall short

Similar to 'not measure up', this indicates a deficiency in reaching a desired level or goal.

look bad

A simpler and more direct way of saying something appears unfavorable to an observer.

suffer consequences

This alternative refers to experiencing the negative outcomes of an action or situation.

FAQs

What does "come off badly" mean?

The phrase "come off badly" means to be perceived negatively or unfavorably. It suggests that someone or something made a poor impression or experienced an undesirable outcome.

How can I use "come off badly" in a sentence?

You can use "come off badly" to describe how someone or something is perceived. For example: "He "came off badly" in the interview because he was unprepared."

What are some alternatives to "come off badly"?

Some alternatives to "come off badly" include "appear unfavorably", "be perceived negatively", or "make a poor impression".

Is it correct to say "came off bad" instead of "come off badly"?

No, the correct form is "come off badly". "Badly" is an adverb modifying the verb "come off", while "bad" is an adjective. Using "bad" would be grammatically incorrect in this context.