greatest letdown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatest letdown" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that was highly anticipated but ultimately disappointing. Example: "The movie was marketed as a blockbuster, but it turned out to be the greatest letdown of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A great big letdown.

Huffington Post

This was a great letdown to me and my family.

The Guardian

Invariably, there was a great letdown as the records rarely came.

The New York Times - Sports

If liberals are feeling disillusioned, though, their right-wing imitators may be ripe for an even greater letdown.

The New York Times

Nathan said: "I think Leon expected all to go well after football, and when it didn't, there was a great letdown.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was just a big letdown".

The New York Times

Now there's a big letdown".

The New York Times

"A big letdown for us," Lee said.

The New York Times

"It was a big letdown," Ms. Jensen said.

The New York Times

Big letdown, right?

Vice

The loftier the dreams, the greater the letdown, an insight he plays for both chuckles and heartache.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "greatest letdown" to describe situations where expectations were exceptionally high, making the disappointment particularly acute. For example, "The hyped product launch turned out to be the greatest letdown of the year".

Common error

Avoid using "greatest letdown" for trivial disappointments. Reserve it for scenarios where the anticipation and buildup were substantial, and the subsequent failure was strikingly underwhelming. This maintains the phrase's impact and avoids hyperbole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatest letdown" functions as a noun phrase, where "greatest" modifies the noun "letdown". It describes a particular instance of disappointment that is considered the most significant or severe. This is supported by examples provided by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "greatest letdown" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to express significant disappointment when high expectations are unmet. Although Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it is relatively uncommon. This phrase functions to convey strong disillusionment. While its register is generally neutral, overuse in minor situations should be avoided to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "biggest disappointment" or "major letdown" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Biggest disappointment

Focuses more on the feeling of disappointment rather than the degree of falling short of expectations.

Major letdown

Similar in meaning, but "major" emphasizes the significance of the disappointment.

Huge disappointment

Emphasizes the size or scale of the disappointment.

Crushing disappointment

Highlights the intensity and emotional impact of the letdown.

Bitter disappointment

Adds a sense of resentment or regret to the disappointment.

Profound letdown

Emphasizes the depth and significance of the disappointment.

Resounding failure

Focuses on the lack of success, rather than the disappointment associated with it.

Abysmal failure

Highlights the extremely poor quality of the failure.

Epic fail

An informal way to describe a significant and often humorous failure.

Spectacular failure

Highlights that the failure was particularly noticeable or dramatic.

FAQs

How can I use "greatest letdown" in a sentence?

Use "greatest letdown" to describe situations where expectations were significantly unmet. For instance, "The highly anticipated sequel proved to be the greatest letdown of the summer movie season".

What are some alternatives to "greatest letdown"?

Alternatives include "biggest disappointment", "major letdown", or "huge disappointment", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "greatest letdown" versus "big disappointment"?

"Greatest letdown" implies a higher level of expectation and subsequent disappointment than "big disappointment". Use "greatest letdown" when the anticipation was particularly high.

Is "greatest letdown" grammatically correct?

Yes, "greatest letdown" is grammatically sound and commonly used to describe a significant disappointment. Its correctness is also confirmed by Ludwig AI.