defeating the object

USAGE SUMMARY

"defeating the object" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to an action that goes against the purpose of an endeavor. For example, "Trying to complete the project without getting any help was defeating the object."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Thus defeating the object and defining what was to become a historically embarrassing moment for the company in later years.

Independent

The general ethos of said day, however, is: Fad diets are a waste of time, energy, and ultimately lead to weight gain, thus defeating the object.

Independent

Brazilian greens want to limit the measure to smaller plots, and to ban their resale for ten years.Yet that risks defeating the object.

The Economist

And being further away from the very people who mean something to you can make you even more unhappy, somewhat defeating the object.

The Guardian

While the first two are established and work well, despite the neck phones defeating the object of being wireless, the truly independent wireless earbuds are still a work in progress, suffering connectivity and battery life issues.

The Guardian - Tech

That is why it has just announced a clampdown, informing libraries they may have to stop allowing users to download ebooks remotely and instead require them to come to the library premises, just as they do to get traditional print books – arguably defeating the object of the e-reading concept.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

That would defeat the object rather.

The Guardian

"But that would defeat the object," said another source.

The Guardian

It seems I need a sudden, piercing alarm, which rather defeats the object of the sunrise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"But then that would completely defeat the object of the democratic revolution we have won".

The Guardian - Opinion

Some people have now taken to using a subtweet hashtag, which totally defeats the object.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defeating the object", ensure the context clearly identifies the object or purpose being undermined. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "defeating the object" without explicitly stating or implying what the 'object' is. Always ensure the purpose or goal being undermined is clear to the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defeating the object" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a clause to describe an action or situation that undermines or contradicts a specific goal or intention. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

21%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "defeating the object" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing actions that undermine a stated purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceedingly common, it finds use across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and general discussions. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to explicitly identify what 'object' is being undermined. For alternative phrasings, consider options like "nullifying the purpose" or "undermining the goal". The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for professional and analytical writing. Finally, avoid using coin counters for saving pennies, as this will defeat the object.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nullifying the purpose

Changes the verb to "nullifying", suggesting a more complete negation of the purpose.

undermining the goal

Replaces "object" with "goal", offering a synonym with a slightly different nuance.

thwarting the aim

Substitutes "defeating" with "thwarting" and "object" with "aim", providing a more forceful tone.

counteracting the intention

Uses "counteracting" instead of "defeating" and "intention" instead of "object", emphasizing the opposition to a planned outcome.

rendering it pointless

Expresses the idea by focusing on the result of the action, making something without value.

making it futile

Highlights the ineffectiveness and lack of success resulting from the action.

negating the rationale

Replaces "defeating" with "negating" and "object" with "rationale", focusing on the underlying justification.

invalidating the objective

Uses "invalidating" instead of "defeating" and "objective" instead of "object", suggesting a formal or official failure.

sabotaging the intent

Implies a deliberate act of undermining the intended outcome.

working against its purpose

Shifts the focus to actively opposing the intended outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "defeating the object" in a sentence?

Use "defeating the object" to describe an action or decision that goes against the intended purpose. For example, "Implementing strict rules on remote ebook access is "defeating the object" of making information accessible".

What are some alternatives to saying "defeating the object"?

You can use alternatives such as "nullifying the purpose", "undermining the goal", or "thwarting the aim" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more appropriate to say "defeating the object" or "defeating the purpose"?

Both phrases are correct, but "defeating the purpose" might be more common and easily understood. "Defeating the object" is equally valid but can sound slightly more formal or technical.

In what contexts is "defeating the object" most commonly used?

"Defeating the object" is often used in discussions about policies, strategies, or actions where the outcome contradicts the original intention. It is suitable for use in news articles, academic papers, and professional communications.