foolish penalty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foolish penalty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a penalty that is perceived as unreasonable or lacking in wisdom. Example: "The team felt that the referee's decision to impose a foolish penalty for a minor infraction was unjust and affected the outcome of the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"A foolish penalty at the end," Sumlin said.

The New York Times - Sports

The Devils were aided by a foolish penalty.

The New York Times - Sports

Zuccarrello, who took that foolish penalty, is behind the net, and finds Brassard, who fires past Quick!

The Guardian - Sport

Singletary benched quarterback J. T. O'Sullivan after three turnovers and ordered the hotheaded tight end Vernon Davis off the field after he committed a foolish penalty.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And we also took some foolish penalties out of frustration".

The New York Times - Sports

"We are taking too many foolish penalties," Coach Larry Robinson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Also adding energy and a little snarl is Fleury, whose 15 goals outnumber his foolish penalties.

The New York Times - Sports

Boston College was its worst enemy for much of the night, taking foolish penalties and making costly turnovers.

The New York Times - Sports

It was the 26th goal of the season for Guerin, a former Devil, and it made up for the three foolish penalties he took in the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Earlier in the playoffs, when his players ignored his orders to stop taking foolish penalties against Toronto, Robinson got their attention and solved the problem by benching a regular, defenseman Colin White, for the third period of a game.

The New York Times - Sports

Unlike Low, Hitchcock would limit the ice time of selfish players who take foolish penalties, fail to backcheck, decline to block shots or neglect to back up teammates when the going gets rough.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "foolish penalty", ensure the context clearly demonstrates why the penalty is considered unwise or unnecessary. Provide specific details about the infraction to support your assessment.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling a penalty as "foolish" without providing evidence or explanation. Back up your claim with specific details about the play or circumstances that make the penalty seem ill-advised.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foolish penalty" functions as a descriptive phrase. It's used to characterize a specific instance of a penalty, imbuing it with a negative judgment regarding its necessity or wisdom. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foolish penalty" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, predominantly found in the realm of News & Media. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for describing a penalty that is perceived as unreasonable or lacking in wisdom. While alternatives such as "unnecessary penalty" or "avoidable penalty" exist, "foolish penalty" effectively conveys the idea of a penalty that could and should have been prevented. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide context explaining why the penalty is considered unwise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoidable penalty

This alternative emphasizes the preventability of the penalty.

unnecessary penalty

This alternative highlights that the penalty was not needed or justified.

senseless penalty

This alternative suggests the penalty lacked a rational basis.

ill-advised penalty

This alternative indicates the penalty was a poor decision.

stupid penalty

Similar in meaning, this alternative uses a more informal term.

careless penalty

This alternative indicates the penalty happened because of the player's lack of attention.

reckless penalty

This alternative emphasizes the imprudence that led to the penalty.

gratuitous penalty

This alternative highlights the uncalled-for nature of the penalty.

needless penalty

This alternative suggests there was no good reason for the penalty.

pointless penalty

This alternative indicates the penalty served no useful purpose.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "foolish penalty" in a sentence?

You can use "foolish penalty" to describe a penalty that seems unnecessary or ill-advised. For example: "The team was set back by a "foolish penalty" in the third quarter."

What are some alternatives to saying "foolish penalty"?

You can use alternatives like "avoidable penalty", "unnecessary penalty", or "senseless penalty" to convey a similar meaning.

What makes a penalty qualify as a "foolish penalty"?

A penalty might be considered "foolish" if it's easily avoidable, results from a lack of discipline, or occurs at a critical moment, severely impacting the team's chances of success.

Is "foolish penalty" a subjective term?

Yes, the term "foolish penalty" is subjective because it reflects an opinion or judgment about the quality of the play that led to the penalty. What one person considers foolish, another might see as an unavoidable consequence of aggressive play.