doing a bad job

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing a bad job" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is performing poorly in a task or role. Example: "Despite his efforts, he is doing a bad job at managing the project, and the team is struggling as a result."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Tell me I'm doing a bad job.

The New York Times

I am not saying Thomas was doing a bad job.

The New York Times - Sports

And it's not doing a bad job of it.

Independent

They know the General is doing a bad job.

The New Yorker

Doing a bad job of managing risk does not violate securities laws.

The New York Times

— doing a bad job of building levees and destroying our homes".

The New Yorker

Some 70% of Poles say his ministers are doing a bad job.

The Economist

Those doing a bad job will be subjected to social scorn.

The New York Times - Books

So far, the leading challengers, at least, are not doing a bad job of it.

The Economist

His current looks are doing a bad job of aging gracefully.

The New York Times

We are doing a bad job with women and a horrible job with women of colour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "doing a bad job" with specific examples to support your assessment. This provides clarity and avoids vague criticism.

Common error

While "doing a bad job" is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation, avoid overuse in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing a bad job" functions as a verbal phrase that typically serves as a predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of performing poorly or inadequately. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically correct and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doing a bad job" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's poor performance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While acceptable in most situations, remember to consider your audience and the level of formality required. In formal settings, opt for alternatives such as "performing poorly" or "underperforming". Provide specific examples to support your assessment when possible to avoid vague criticism. Avoid overusing the phrase in formal writing to maintain a professional tone. By keeping these points in mind, you can effectively and appropriately use the phrase "doing a bad job" in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performing poorly

Focuses on the action of performing without skill or effectiveness.

not doing well

A more general way of saying someone is not succeeding.

failing to deliver

Emphasizes the lack of expected results or outcomes.

underperforming

Highlights a performance that is below expectations or standards.

making a mess of things

Suggests that someone is creating problems or errors.

not up to par

Indicates that something is not meeting the required standard.

dropping the ball

An idiom suggesting someone has failed to fulfill their responsibilities.

botching the job

Implies that someone has ruined or spoiled a task.

missing the mark

Suggests failure to achieve the desired outcome or goal.

falling short

Indicates a failure to reach a required level or standard.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "doing a bad job"?

You can use alternatives like "performing poorly", "not doing well", or "underperforming" depending on the context.

Is "doing a bad job" too informal for professional communication?

While generally acceptable, "doing a bad job" can be perceived as informal. In professional contexts, consider using phrases like "failing to meet expectations" or "demonstrating ineffective performance".

How can I use "doing a bad job" in a sentence?

You can use "doing a bad job" to describe someone's performance in a specific task or role. For example: "The manager is doing a bad job at handling customer complaints." or "The team is doing a bad job of meeting its deadlines."

What's the difference between "doing a bad job" and "making mistakes"?

"Doing a bad job" implies consistent poor performance or lack of skill, while "making mistakes" suggests isolated errors. Someone "doing a bad job" may consistently "underperform", while someone "making mistakes" may be learning or experiencing temporary setbacks.