face certain defeat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "face certain defeat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone is likely to lose or fail, often in a competitive context. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team knew they would face certain defeat against the reigning champions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Without the provision, the bill would face certain defeat in the Senate.

The New York Times

Mr. Leffler's bill seemed to face certain defeat yesterday because of the support Mr. Vallone's bill received from the mayor.

The New York Times

As a result major party leaders must defend their core from minor party incursion, or face certain defeat.

The Guardian - Opinion

Less than a week after she introduced the plan, she withdrew it rather than face certain defeat.

The New York Times

Others, like Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, a leading Senate authority on Social Security, say the President would face certain defeat if he pushed the issue this year.

The New York Times

We have a reasonable chance of victory if we properly outfit and empower our new team in Afghanistan, we face certain defeat if we do not.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

— May's Brexit deal faces certain defeat.

The Washington Post

Having faced certain defeat in May, Mr Hague now faces certain defeat in June.

The Economist

A newspaper poll published today showed the Prime Minister facing certain defeat in new elections next spring.

The New York Times

The assumption is that one contestant, the party's reform-minded general secretary, Mr Zhao Ziyang, faces certain defeat.

The Economist

If he thought the Tories were facing certain defeat otherwise, I think we can take that as given.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "face certain defeat" with alternatives like "be doomed to fail" or "encounter assured failure" when aiming for variety or a slightly different nuance in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "face certain defeat" when the situation merely suggests a high probability of failure, but not an absolute guarantee. The phrase implies a virtually unavoidable outcome, so ensure the context warrants such a strong assertion. If there is still a chance of success, consider alternative phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face certain defeat" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correctly used to describe situations where failure is inevitable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "face certain defeat" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the strong likelihood of failure. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is usable in written English, common in News & Media contexts, and carries a formal or neutral register. While appropriate in many situations, it's crucial to use it only when the defeat is genuinely considered inevitable, distinguishing it from scenarios with mere high probability. Alternative phrasing is available to adjust the nuance, and common errors include overstating the certainty of the outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encounter assured failure

Stresses the certainty and guarantee of failure.

be doomed to fail

Emphasizes predetermination and lack of hope.

head towards unavoidable loss

Focuses on the direction and inevitability of the loss.

meet an inevitable end

Focuses on the unavoidable conclusion of a situation.

confront inescapable downfall

Emphasizes the impossibility of avoiding a negative outcome.

stare down failure

Highlights the act of confronting an impending loss.

be on a collision course with failure

Uses a metaphor of impending impact to describe the situation.

move toward predetermined loss

Highlights that the loss is decided and unavoidable

court absolute disaster

Suggests actions are actively inviting a negative outcome.

draw certain ruin

Implies that actions are leading to a state of destruction or collapse.

FAQs

How can I use "face certain defeat" in a sentence?

You can use "face certain defeat" to describe a situation where someone is overwhelmingly likely to lose. For example, "Without the provision, the bill would "face certain defeat" in the Senate."

What's a more formal way to say "face certain defeat"?

More formal alternatives include "encounter assured failure" or "be destined for failure". These options maintain a serious tone while conveying the inevitability of the negative outcome.

Is it correct to say "facing almost certain defeat"?

Yes, "facing almost certain defeat" is a valid variation. It acknowledges a very high likelihood of defeat but allows for a slight possibility of success, making it a less absolute statement than ""face certain defeat"".

What are some less formal alternatives to "face certain defeat"?

Less formal alternatives could include "be heading for a crash", "be going down", or "be sure to lose". These options are more conversational and suitable for informal contexts.