gets unlucky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets unlucky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone experiences bad luck or misfortune. Example: "Despite his best efforts, he just gets unlucky when it comes to finding a parking spot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But if he gets unlucky and I get lucky, we can beat him.

The New York Times - Sports

See who gets unlucky.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

You still have a lot of good candidates being passed over for interviews because they got unlucky, and that unluckiness develops an inertia.

The New York Times

"Then I got unlucky".

The New Yorker

We got unlucky with ours.

The New Yorker

In short, they got unlucky.

The Guardian - Opinion

I just think Ma got unlucky".

The New York Times

Even with two picks, someone was going to get unlucky".

The New York Times

Notably, of course, he hasn't got unlucky.

The Guardian

Your instinct betrays you or you just get unlucky.

The Guardian - Film

But these two just got unlucky; some celestial forces led popular ire to their door.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gets unlucky", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended degree of misfortune. For minor inconveniences, less strong alternatives like "hits a snag" might be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "gets unlucky" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms such as "experiences misfortune" or "suffers a setback" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets unlucky" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the action or state of experiencing misfortune. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in English. It typically modifies a subject, indicating they are the recipient of bad luck.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gets unlucky" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to express that someone experiences misfortune. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not highly formal, it finds use across diverse media, particularly in news outlets. When writing, it's important to note the range of alternative expressions available, such as "experiences misfortune", that may be more appropriate depending on the intended audience and context. Source analysis suggests usage is frequent across News & Media with infrequent use in formal context. Therefore, writers should carefully assess their target readership when deciding on using "gets unlucky".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encounters bad luck

Similar to experiencing misfortune, but emphasizes the element of chance.

experiences misfortune

More formal and general way of saying someone faces bad luck.

suffers a setback

Focuses on the negative impact and delay caused by the bad luck.

has a stroke of bad luck

Focuses on a specific instance of misfortune, implying it was sudden.

faces adversity

Highlights the challenges and difficulties faced due to misfortune.

is down on their luck

Suggests a prolonged period of experiencing misfortune.

hits a snag

More informal, suggesting a minor unexpected problem.

draws the short straw

Idiomatic expression indicating someone is selected for an unpleasant task or situation.

is jinxed

Implies a supernatural cause for the bad luck.

is snakebitten

Idiomatic, implies a string of unfortunate events.

FAQs

What does "gets unlucky" mean?

"Gets unlucky" means to experience bad luck or misfortune. It suggests that someone encounters an unfavorable situation due to chance or circumstances beyond their control.

What are some synonyms for "gets unlucky"?

Alternatives to "gets unlucky" include "encounters bad luck", "experiences misfortune", or "is down on their luck", depending on the context.

Is "gets unlucky" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "gets unlucky" might be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "suffers a setback" or "faces adversity".

How can I use "gets unlucky" in a sentence?

You can use "gets unlucky" to describe someone who encounters an unfavorable situation, such as: "Despite his careful planning, he still "gets unlucky" with the weather during his vacations."