end up losing

USAGE SUMMARY

'end up losing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has gone wrong, or that you have not achieved the desired outcome. For example: "I was so sure I would get the job, but I ended up losing out to another candidate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You end up losing money.

The New York Times

The kids can end up losing ownership".

The New York Times

Inevitably, I end up losing them.

The New York Times - Travel

They end up losing the most money.

The New York Times

It was inevitable that we would end up losing".

The New York Times - Sports

I really did end up losing myself that way".

The Guardian - Books

You can end up losing the plot a bit.

The Guardian - Books

He believes that the party is likely to end up losing a handful of seats.

The Economist

Even on Broadway, the vast majority of shows end up losing money.

The New York Times

By buying or holding more volatile assets the central bank could end up losing taxpayers money.

The Economist

And they do so even though, on average, they end up losing on their trades.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis, you can include the reason why the ending happened, e.g. "They didn't prepare enough and ended up losing."

Common error

Avoid using "end up losing" when a simple statement of loss is sufficient. The phrase is best when highlighting an unforeseen or gradual process leading to the negative outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "end up losing" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the result of a process or action that leads to an undesirable outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable expression. The examples show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

32%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "end up losing" is a versatile verb phrase used to express an unintended or undesirable outcome resulting from a particular action or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its prevalence in News & Media and Wiki sources underscores its general use, while its occasional appearance in Science contexts demonstrates its adaptability. When using "end up losing", consider its emphasis on the process leading to the loss and ensure that it accurately reflects the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn out badly

Focuses on the negative result or outcome of a situation or event.

be defeated

Directly expresses the act of being overcome or losing in a contest or struggle.

be unsuccessful

A more formal and direct way of stating that something did not succeed or achieve its goal.

fall short

Implies not reaching a desired target or expectation, often used in performance contexts.

suffer a defeat

Focuses specifically on the act of being defeated, particularly in competitive contexts.

go awry

Indicates that something has gone wrong or deviated from the intended course.

meet with failure

Emphasizes the encounter with a lack of success, highlighting the experience of failing.

not come off

Implies that a plan or attempt did not succeed, often due to unforeseen circumstances.

come to grief

Suggests a more severe or unfortunate ending, implying significant negative consequences.

prove abortive

Highlights the failure of something to develop or succeed, often used for plans or projects.

FAQs

How can I use "end up losing" in a sentence?

You can use "end up losing" to describe an unintended negative outcome, such as "If you don't invest wisely, you might "end up losing" your savings".

What can I say instead of "end up losing"?

Alternatives include "suffer a defeat", "meet with failure", or "turn out badly", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "ends up losing"?

Yes, "ends up losing" is grammatically correct. The form used depends on the subject's number; "end up losing" is for plural subjects, while "ends up losing" is for singular subjects.

What's the difference between "end up losing" and "end up lost"?

"End up losing" implies a loss or defeat, whereas "end up lost" refers to becoming disoriented or missing. For example, "They could "end up losing" the game" versus "They could end up lost in the forest".