losing badly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "losing badly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is experiencing a significant defeat or failure, often in a competitive context. Example: "The team was losing badly by halftime, with a score of 0-5."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And we're losing, badly".

The New York Times

The U.S. is losing badly.

The Washington Post

The Republicans are losing badly with young voters, and losing badly with Hispanics.

The New York Times

Losing badly to the Jets seemed a tipping point.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Royal ended up losing badly, so there was humiliation all around.

The New York Times

It is anybody's guess how much the cumulative damages could reach if Merck starts losing badly.

The Economist

Mr. Schock made only 3 of 15 free throws, losing badly to the mayor of Peoria.

The New York Times

where we have been losing badly over the last seven years" of the Bush administration.

The Washington Post

And losing badly on national TV might mean negative publicity for I.B.M.

The New York Times - Magazine

At no point does Lincoln appear in danger of losing badly, as he worried.

The Washington Post

"We already have a trade war and we're losing badly," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a competition, use "losing badly" to emphasize not only the defeat but also the large margin by which the defeat occurred.

Common error

While acceptable in news and general media, using "losing badly" in highly formal or academic writing may come across as too informal. Consider more neutral alternatives like "experiencing a significant defeat" or "being decisively defeated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "losing badly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It describes the manner of the losing, emphasizing the degree or extent of the defeat. Ludwig confirms this phrase as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "losing badly" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant defeat. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While not ideal for highly formal or academic writing, it effectively conveys the magnitude of a loss. Consider alternatives like "soundly defeated" or "experiencing a significant defeat" for more formal settings. When using "losing badly", ensure that the context warrants emphasizing not just the loss but also the degree of the defeat. In essence, "losing badly" is a versatile phrase for vividly portraying substantial setbacks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meeting with utter defeat

Highlights the complete and absolute nature of the failure.

being soundly defeated

Highlights the thoroughness and decisiveness of the defeat.

incurring a heavy loss

Highlights the significant negative consequences resulting from the defeat.

being decisively vanquished

Uses a formal and strong term to indicate a clear and irreversible defeat.

suffering a crushing defeat

Emphasizes the magnitude of the loss and its demoralizing effect.

facing a dismal failure

Stresses the hopelessness and negativity associated with the outcome.

experiencing a major setback

Focuses on the negative impact and hindrance caused by the loss.

getting trounced

Uses a more informal and emphatic term for being heavily defeated.

undergoing a severe beating

Metaphorically suggests a harsh and overwhelming defeat, often in a competitive context.

being thoroughly thrashed

Emphasizes the completeness and forcefulness of the defeat, often used informally.

FAQs

How can I use "losing badly" in a sentence?

You can use "losing badly" to describe a situation where someone is being defeated by a large margin, for example: "The team was losing badly by halftime."

What are some alternatives to "losing badly"?

Alternatives include "soundly defeated", "crushing defeat", or "utter defeat", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "losing badly"?

Yes, "losing badly" is grammatically correct as the adverb "badly" modifies the verb "losing". It is commonly used in various forms of writing.

What's the difference between "losing badly" and "slightly losing"?

"Losing badly" implies a significant difference in score or performance, whereas "slightly losing" suggests a close contest where the outcome is only marginally unfavorable.