losing for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "losing for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temporary state of defeat or failure in a situation, often implying that the loss is not permanent. Example: "After a tough match, I realized that losing for a while is just part of the game, and I need to learn from it."

✓ Grammatically correct

TechCrunch

Huffington Post

The Guardian

The New York Times

Forbes

Los Angeles Times

Vice

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

WikiHow

BBC

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Even if it means they don't end up making that much money (or losing for a while), getting that install base is important because Aivia can figure out what users are actually doing with the speaker.

TechCrunch

Rubio's been losing for a while.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Low point: "I was very lost for a while a couple of years ago.

The Guardian

When it comes to contemporary dance, adults are prepared to be lost for a while.

The Guardian

Thomas said the Knicks will make do if Camby is lost for a while.

The New York Times - Sports

One of my children was lost for a while, dropped out of college, made mistakes, came home to live, then took classes at the local community college.

The New York Times

Asked if he had a plan in the event Stevens would be lost for a while, Burns said, "There's not much of a plan you can have".

The New York Times - Sports

When she passed away I was lost for a while but the one thing I knew I could do was DJ.

The Guardian - Music

She told the crowd: "I got really lost for a while and didn't know whether I'd ever come back.

The Guardian - Music

You do everything with your hands, and when you don't have that, you're kind of lost for a while," the 26-year-old New Yorker told reporters Tuesday at Johns Hopkins Hospital, reports The Associated Press.

The New York Times - Science

There was no threat in her voice; she preferred we go together into this uncharted territory, but it would be all right if I needed to be lost for a while longer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "losing for a while" to convey that a negative trend is not expected to last indefinitely. This softens the impact of the statement and implies a potential for recovery or improvement. For example, "The company is currently "losing for a while", but new strategies are expected to turn things around."

Common error

Avoid using "losing for a while" when the situation indicates a more permanent or irreversible decline. Overusing the phrase can diminish the seriousness of a situation and create a false sense of hope when the reality is more dire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "losing for a while" functions as a qualifier, indicating a temporary state of disadvantage or underperformance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. This implies the situation is not permanent, suggesting a potential for improvement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "losing for a while" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, meaning a temporary setback or period of underperformance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's often used to soften negative news by implying that the situation is not permanent. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferable in professional settings. Common contexts include news and media. Be careful not to overuse it or apply it to situations indicating a more permanent decline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temporarily defeated

Focuses on the state of being defeated, but only for a limited time.

experiencing a setback

Highlights the occurrence of a temporary obstacle or reversal.

down for a period

Emphasizes the duration of being in a weakened or unsuccessful state.

underperforming temporarily

Specifies that the poor performance is not permanent.

having a rough patch

Suggests a difficult but transient phase.

in a slump for a bit

Describes a period of decline or inactivity.

not succeeding for a time

Simply states the lack of success within a limited timeframe.

failing temporarily

Highlights the temporary nature of the failure.

going through a losing streak

Implies a series of consecutive losses over a specific period.

facing short-term losses

Focuses on the financial aspect of temporary setbacks.

FAQs

How can I use "losing for a while" in a sentence?

You can use "losing for a while" to describe a temporary setback or period of underperformance. For example, "The team is "losing for a while", but they are working hard to improve." You can also say "experiencing a temporary setback" or "underperforming temporarily".

What's a more formal way to say "losing for a while"?

In a more formal context, consider using phrases like "experiencing a temporary downturn" or "facing short-term financial challenges" instead of "losing for a while".

Is it okay to use "losing for a while" in professional writing?

While "losing for a while" is grammatically correct, it might be perceived as informal in some professional contexts. Alternatives like "experiencing a setback" or "underperforming temporarily" may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "losing for a while" and "failing"?

"Losing for a while" suggests a temporary state, implying that the situation is expected to improve. "Failing", on the other hand, suggests a more definitive or permanent lack of success. See "failing temporarily" for a phrase with similar meaning.