losing city

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "losing city" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a city that is experiencing decline, loss of population, or economic downturn. Example: "After years of neglect and economic challenges, Detroit has often been referred to as a losing city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

For their teams' victories last week, each mayor made off with some treasures from the losing city.

The New York Times

If New Yorkers are faced with the choice between losing city services (closing libraries, cutting back the number of police officers, adding more children to already overcrowded classrooms) and paying tolls on the East River bridges, many might choose the second option.

The New Yorker

Details on how to enter will be made available by the losing city after the game.

Huffington Post

It goes like this: The winning city will host the mayor of the losing city for a day of volunteer service with members of the AmeriCorps program.

Huffington Post

In 2010, before the Major League Baseball MLBB) World Series began between the San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom made a bet with Arlington mayor Robert Cluck that the mayor of the losing city has to travel to the winning city to do a day of community service wearing the jersey of the victorious team.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Ms Miller praised the three losing cities for the "time, effort and determination" they put into their bids.

Independent

Berlin was his lost city.

The Guardian - Arts

Talk story about a lost city recently located by satellite.

The New Yorker

Petra is the original lost city in the desert.

Independent

It was a story of a lost city," she said.

The Guardian

Not even discovering a lost city, it seems, can guarantee membership.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "losing city", ensure the context clearly indicates what the city is losing (e.g., population, economic stability, cultural significance).

Common error

Avoid using "losing city" as a generic term for any city facing challenges; specify the nature of the loss to provide a more accurate and informative description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "losing city" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. The adjective "losing" describes a state of decline or defeat affecting the city. Examples found by Ludwig show it used in journalistic contexts to describe cities facing various challenges.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "losing city" describes a city experiencing a decline in some aspect, such as population, economic stability, or cultural relevance. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct, although it appears with relative infrequency. The primary context for its use is within news and media, where it serves to characterize cities facing challenges. While acceptable, writers should consider more precise alternatives, such as ""declining city"" or ""struggling city"", to provide a more nuanced description. It is important to ensure the context clearly indicates what the city is losing to avoid ambiguity. Overall, while "losing city" is understandable, clarity and specificity are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declining city

Replaces "losing" with a more direct synonym for economic or social downturn.

failing city

Suggests a stronger sense of ineffectiveness or collapse than "losing".

defeated city

Implies loss in a competition or struggle, whether economic or political.

struggling city

Focuses on the challenges and hardships faced by the city.

downtrodden city

Emphasizes the oppression or hardship experienced by the city's residents.

beleaguered city

Highlights the city being under siege or facing constant problems.

economically challenged city

Specifically points to the economic difficulties the city is facing.

city in decline

Uses a prepositional phrase to describe the state of deterioration.

unsuccessful city

Indicates a lack of achievement or positive outcomes.

waning city

Suggests a gradual decrease in power, influence, or prosperity.

FAQs

What does "losing city" mean?

A "losing city" typically refers to a city experiencing a decline in population, economic downturn, or loss of significance in a particular area, like sports or culture.

What can I say instead of "losing city"?

You can use alternatives like "declining city", "failing city", or "struggling city" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to describe a city as "losing"?

The term is acceptable in journalistic contexts and informal discussions but might be perceived as overly negative in formal settings. Consider more neutral terms like "challenged city" or "city in transition" in those cases.

How does "losing city" differ from "lost city"?

"Losing city" describes a city experiencing decline, while "lost city" refers to a city that was once populated but has been abandoned and often forgotten, as in the case of archeological sites.