do some damage

USAGE SUMMARY

"do some damage" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something causing harm or destruction. For example: "The hurricane did some serious damage to the coastline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We'll do some damage".

The New York Times - Sports

"And do some damage".

The New York Times

They're trying to do some damage.

The New York Times - Sports

Albania sensed they could do some damage.

The Guardian - Sport

He's going to do some damage eventually.

The New York Times - Sports

"Of course dredges do some damage on the seabed.

The Guardian

They looked like they could really do some damage.

The Guardian

Potential game changer who can do some damage.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, Dayne feels he could do some damage against Baltimore.

The New York Times - Sports

"Somebody was trying to really do some damage".

The New Yorker

Yet I'd do some damage, I was sure of it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do some damage" when you want to convey the idea of causing a significant negative impact or achieving a notable result, often in competitive or combative situations. For example, in sports, it might refer to a player performing exceptionally well and disrupting the opposing team's strategy.

Common error

Avoid using "do some damage" in contexts where the intended meaning is purely positive or constructive. While "damage" can sometimes imply a disruptive effect leading to positive change, it generally carries a negative connotation. For purely positive contexts, consider alternatives like "make an impact" or "achieve a result".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do some damage" functions as a verb phrase, where "do" is the main verb and "some damage" is the object. It signifies the act of causing harm, disruption, or significant negative impact. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do some damage" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe causing harm or having a significant negative impact. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and sports reporting. While generally neutral to informal in register, it's important to consider the potential negative connotations and choose alternative phrases like "make an impact" or "achieve a result" in purely positive contexts. Remember that "damage control" refers to mitigating the negative effects of a crisis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause some harm

Replaces "damage" with "harm", focusing on the negative impact.

inflict some damage

Emphasizes the act of causing damage actively.

make an impact

Shifts the focus to having a significant effect, which can be positive or negative depending on context.

create some havoc

Implies causing disorder and confusion, similar to the disruptive aspect of doing damage.

wreak some havoc

Similar to "create some havoc", emphasizing the destructive nature.

have an effect

A more general term for making a difference, which can be through damage or other means.

achieve a result

Focuses on accomplishing something significant, whether through destructive or constructive actions.

cause a stir

Implies creating excitement or controversy, often through disruptive actions.

leave a mark

Focuses on having a lasting impact, which can be either positive or negative.

make headway

Implies making progress, potentially by overcoming obstacles or causing disruption.

FAQs

How can I use "do some damage" in a sentence?

You can use "do some damage" to describe causing harm or having a significant negative impact. For example: "The storm did some damage to the coastal areas" or "The new policy could do some damage to the economy".

What are some alternatives to "do some damage"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "cause some harm", "make an impact", or "inflict some damage".

Is "do some damage" formal or informal?

"Do some damage" is generally considered a neutral to informal phrase. It's suitable for everyday conversation and news reports, but may not be appropriate for highly formal or academic writing.

What does it mean to "do damage control"?

"Do damage control" refers to taking actions to minimize the negative effects of a mistake or crisis. It involves addressing the problem and trying to repair any harm that has been done.