lame attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

"lame attempt" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a feeble effort at something. For example: "Her lame attempt at humor made everyone uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Thirdly an lame attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's his lame attempt," laughs Black.

The Guardian

So Congress, in a lame attempt at appeasement, unanimously passed legislation symbolically honoring the nation's workers.

The New York Times

A News Corporation spokeswoman said: "This is just a lame attempt to regurgitate old news.

Independent

I truly regret if a lame attempt at humor suggested otherwise".

The New York Times

Mark Butcher's making a fairly lame attempt to gee everyone up, but to little effect.

The Guardian - Sport

"I am so sorry about what happened yesterday in that lame attempt at humor," she said.

The New York Times

Or on my lame attempt at an athletes on television riff (extended pre-amble)?

The Guardian - Sport

"Or an lame attempt to show up the French team's refusal to go to training?

The Guardian - Sport

There were so few chances on goal that any lame attempt was greeted with oohs and aahs.

The New York Times - Sports

In a lame attempt to be hip, pols are posting soggy, foggy, bloggy musings on the Internet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lame attempt" to express disapproval or criticism of an action or idea that you consider weak, ineffective, or poorly executed. For example, "The politician's speech was a "lame attempt" to deflect criticism."

Common error

While "lame attempt" is widely understood, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral or technical term like 'unsuccessful endeavor' or 'ineffective measure' would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lame attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective 'lame' modifies the noun 'attempt'. It typically serves to describe and negatively evaluate an effort made towards a goal. Ludwig provides examples that demonstrate this use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lame attempt" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to criticize or disapprove of a weak, ineffective, or poorly executed effort. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in the news and media. While widely understood, it's best to avoid using "lame attempt" in highly formal or academic settings, opting instead for more neutral terms. Consider alternatives such as "feeble effort" or "poor showing" to convey similar meanings with different nuances. As such, "lame attempt" serves as a valuable tool for expressing nuanced criticism across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeble effort

Focuses on the lack of strength or effectiveness in the effort.

weak endeavor

Emphasizes the lack of force or strength in the undertaking.

poor showing

Highlights the inadequate result or performance.

unconvincing try

Indicates that the attempt lacked persuasiveness or credibility.

pathetic stab

Suggests the attempt was so weak it evokes pity.

half-hearted effort

Highlights the lack of enthusiasm or commitment in the attempt.

flimsy pretense

Focuses on the insubstantial or easily exposed nature of the attempt.

uninspired undertaking

Emphasizes the lack of creativity or excitement in the attempt.

inadequate measure

Highlights the attempt's failure to meet the required standard.

deficient approach

Emphasizes the flawed or insufficient method used in the attempt.

FAQs

What does "lame attempt" mean?

"Lame attempt" refers to a weak, unsuccessful, or unconvincing effort to achieve something. It implies that the attempt was poorly executed or lacked strength and effectiveness.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "lame attempt"?

It's appropriate to use "lame attempt" when you want to express criticism or disapproval of a poorly executed or ineffective effort. It is commonly used in informal and semi-formal contexts, like news articles or casual conversations.

What are some alternatives to saying "lame attempt"?

You can use alternatives like "feeble effort", "weak endeavor", or "poor showing" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "lame attempt" grammatically correct?

Yes, "lame attempt" is grammatically correct. "Lame" is an adjective modifying the noun "attempt". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides many examples of its use in context.