it defeated me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it defeated me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something has overcome you, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense, such as a challenge or an obstacle. Example: "After hours of trying to solve the puzzle, I finally admitted that it defeated me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I did so after first reading The Selfish Gene, but I ruefully admit that, at the time, it defeated me and I am not sure I will try again.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It defeats me," she says.

The Guardian

I will not let it defeat me.

Huffington Post

"In my case, organized crime won, but it has defeated me and not society; it has defeated me and my family, but it has not defeated that thousands of contributors who trusted this page and reported despite their fears", the administrator said.

Wikipedia

"I was confronted with the worst-case scenario for what happens when you go too far with all this conceptual stuff, and it really defeated me".

The New York Times - Arts

Months after the deaths, Blickhahn told me, "They defeated me").

The New Yorker

"It showed they hadn't defeated me; it was like I had risen above what happened, and above them".

The New York Times - Science

But Mon Roi defeated me: it is an outrageous 130-minute firework display of drama-queen over-acting and bad acting: impossibly irritating and self-indulgent, featuring people who are clearly on some important level supposed to be irrepressible, adorable and richly life-affirming — but are actually tiresome prats.

The Guardian - Film

As I trudged home for an empañada and a nap, I acknowledged that BPM had defeated me, but it was the most glorious defeat one can endure.

Vice

"If I didn't understand blindness, it would defeat me".

Vice

One passage defeated me.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it defeated me" when you want to express that something completely overwhelmed or stumped you. It implies a sense of being completely unable to overcome a challenge.

Common error

Ensure that the 'it' in "it defeated me" has a clear and specific referent in your sentence. Otherwise, the sentence can become vague and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it defeated me" functions as a statement of being overcome by a challenge or obstacle. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples on Ludwig shows diverse applications, from academic concepts to personal struggles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it defeated me" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a sense of being overwhelmed or unable to overcome a challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and versatile, appearing often in diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives may be preferable for strictly professional writing. When using this phrase, ensure the referent of "it" is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was overcome by it

Uses a passive voice construction to emphasize the state of being overcome.

It got the better of me

Employs a more idiomatic expression to convey a sense of being surpassed or outmatched.

I couldn't overcome it

Expresses the inability to conquer or surpass something.

I was unable to handle it

Focuses on the lack of capacity to manage or deal with something.

It proved too much for me

Highlights the excessive nature of the challenge or difficulty.

I succumbed to it

Implies yielding or giving in to something, often with a negative connotation.

It overwhelmed me

Suggests being overpowered or inundated by something.

I couldn't cope with it

Emphasizes the inability to manage or deal with something effectively.

It was beyond my capabilities

Highlights the lack of the necessary skills or abilities to handle something.

I threw in the towel

Idiomatic expression to describe giving up when the task is too hard.

FAQs

What does "it defeated me" mean?

The phrase "it defeated me" means that something or someone overwhelmed you, leaving you unable to overcome a challenge or succeed in a particular situation. It implies a sense of being completely overcome.

What are some alternatives to saying "it defeated me"?

Alternatives include "I was overcome by it", "it got the better of me", or "I couldn't overcome it". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "it defeated me" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it defeated me" is grammatically correct and follows standard English sentence structure.

Can "it defeated me" be used in formal writing?

While "it defeated me" is acceptable in most contexts, more formal alternatives like "I was overcome by it" might be preferable in highly formal or academic writing.