end poorly

USAGE SUMMARY

"end poorly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe something that has come to an unsatisfactory or disappointing conclusion. For example: "While the play started off promisingly, it ended poorly, leaving audience members disappointed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

That kind of gamble, in times of yore, tended to end poorly.

The New York Times

Turner, who had two previous head coaching stints end poorly as well, doesn't know if that fate awaits him too.

The New York Times

My biggest gripe about modern thrillers is that they all too often end poorly, either in an over-blown, action-heavy bang or with an unsatisfying whimper.

The Guardian

The jokes always end poorly for the salesman — usually in castration or a shotgun wedding — the toll exacted on city slickers who dare meddle with country folk and their crude, anachronistic ways.

The New York Times - Books

As with all great romances, we sense from the beginning that it will end poorly, and it does: Moehringer's drinking spirals out of control, and he and the bar are forced to part ways.

The New York Times - Books

We have so many good examples of films and TV series that digest the Depression era's crime waves – The Untouchables, the original Bonnie and Clyde, Public Enemies, Boardwalk Empire – that it's impossible not to make comparisons that end poorly for this remake, no matter how pretty the costumes are.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

That ended poorly.

The Guardian - Sport

It ended poorly for everyone.

The Guardian - Opinion

It ended poorly for SportsCentre co-host Jennifer Hedger.

The Guardian - Sport

Things ended poorly for the team and the player.

The New York Times - Sports

It also ended poorly, with an unearned hug.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "end poorly", consider adding context to clarify the specific negative consequences. For instance, instead of simply stating "the project ended poorly", specify that "the project ended poorly, resulting in significant financial losses".

Common error

Avoid using "end poorly" as a generic description. Provide specific details about how things ended poorly. What were the actual consequences or results that made the ending undesirable?

Linguistic Context

The phrase "end poorly" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the manner in which something concludes. It modifies the action of ending, specifying it as negative or undesirable, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "end poorly" is a commonly used phrase to describe situations with negative or undesirable outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using "end poorly", providing specific details about the negative consequences enhances clarity. Alternatives like "conclude unfavorably" or "finish badly" can be considered depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a bad ending

States the negative ending in a straightforward manner.

finish badly

Emphasizes the negative quality of the ending.

turn out badly

Highlights an unexpected and undesirable result.

conclude unfavorably

Focuses on a lack of positive results at the end.

go wrong

Indicates a deviation from the intended or desired outcome.

lead to failure

Emphasizes the ultimate lack of success.

result in disaster

Highlights a severely negative consequence.

end in ruin

Focuses on destruction or collapse at the conclusion.

crash and burn

Uses a more figurative expression for a complete and spectacular failure.

come to a sticky end

Implies an unpleasant and difficult final situation.

FAQs

How can I use "end poorly" in a sentence?

You can use "end poorly" to describe situations with undesirable outcomes. For example, "Their relationship "ended poorly" after years of conflict".

What's a more formal alternative to "end poorly"?

More formal alternatives include "conclude unfavorably" or "terminate unsuccessfully". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Which is correct, "end poorly" or "end bad"?

"End poorly" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "End bad" is grammatically incorrect.

What does it mean when someone says something "ended poorly"?

It means the situation or event had a negative or undesirable conclusion, often with unfortunate consequences.