forfeit the match

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forfeit the match" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of sports or games when a player or team is unable to continue or chooses to give up the competition. Example: "Due to the injury of their star player, the team had no choice but to forfeit the match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

A back injury forced Waselenchuk to forfeit the match.

The New York Times - Sports

Uefa reacted to the incidents by ordering Albania to forfeit the match, while Serbia were given a 3-0 default win.

The Guardian - Sport

And, under FIFA rules: "Any team that is found guilty of fielding an ineligible player shall forfeit the match in question.

The New York Times - Sports

If for some reason they met in an earlier round, the boys alternated who would forfeit the match so one of them could move on.

The New York Times - Magazine

But before the 120-pound bout could begin, the referee gave Johnson a choice: Forfeit the match or get a quick haircut to comply with athletic regulations.

The Washington Post

The World Chess Network recently stiffened its penalties for such behavior, forcing offenders to resume play within three minutes or forfeit the match, and has threatened to expel offenders.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Some boys forfeited the match rather than wrestle me," she said.

The New York Times

Sometimes one immediately bolts and runs away, thereby forfeiting the match.

The New York Times

The Pakistan team, in protest, refused to return to the field after a tea break and forfeited the match.

The Economist

Johnson opted to get his hair cut instead of forfeiting the match, which he later won in sudden-victory overtime.

The Washington Post

Kim, who would have been an underdog if Poe was healthy, gave up her chance to make the team by forfeiting the match.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "forfeit the match", ensure the context clearly indicates why the match is being forfeited. Specify the reason if it's due to injury, rule violation, or another specific cause to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses. For instance, using "forfeited the match" when "forfeit the match" is required by the sentence structure can confuse the reader. Choose the tense that aligns with the timeline you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forfeit the match" functions as a verb phrase acting as the predicate in a sentence. According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct. The verb "forfeit" indicates the action of surrendering or relinquishing the match.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "forfeit the match" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig, denoting the act of giving up or surrendering a match, often due to unforeseen circumstances like injury or rule violations. It's primarily found in News & Media and Wiki, with a neutral register making it suitable for various contexts. Alternatives include "withdraw from the match" or "concede the match", offering similar meanings but with subtle differences. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for forfeiting to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

withdraw from the match

Emphasizes the act of pulling out or leaving the match.

concede the match

Highlights the act of acknowledging defeat.

give up the match

Simple and direct way of saying someone is quitting the match.

lose by default

Focuses on the outcome of losing due to the opponent's absence or disqualification.

default the match

A less common but acceptable way to indicate losing by default.

relinquish the match

Implies a formal or official surrender of the match.

forgo the match

Similar to relinquish but suggests a more willing abandonment.

walk away from the match

Emphasizes the physical act of leaving, indicating abandonment.

abandon the match

Similar to 'walk away' but may also suggest leaving it unfinished.

bow out of the match

A more figurative way to describe leaving a match, especially near the end.

FAQs

What does it mean to "forfeit the match"?

To "forfeit the match" means to concede defeat or give up the game, often due to circumstances like injury, disqualification, or a strategic decision. The opposing side is then declared the winner.

What are some alternatives to "forfeit the match"?

You can use alternatives like "withdraw from the match", "concede the match", or "give up the match" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "forfeit the match" and "lose the match"?

"Forfeit the match" implies a voluntary or enforced abandonment of the competition, whereas "lose the match" simply means being defeated by the opponent through regular gameplay.

How to use "forfeit the match" in a sentence?

Example: "Due to a severe injury, the tennis player had to "forfeit the match"." You can also say: "The team was forced to "forfeit the match" after several players became ill."