losing line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "losing line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to a line or statement that indicates a loss or failure, often in a competitive or emotional sense. Example: "After the final whistle blew, the coach's losing line echoed in the locker room, reminding the team of their missed opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

You could see that every card was right for the declarer, so you persuaded him to take the only losing line.

The New York Times - Arts

Instead, he blundered into the same losing line that led to the defeat of Viswanathan Anand of India by Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine in last year's final.

The New York Times

XOX came to me with the downs and I thought it might be a mash note from Mr. Ashwood-Smith, but alas, it was merely a "Losing line" in Tic-Tac-Toe.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Jenkins' solution is to ditch the losing lines of business and back the winners.

The Guardian - Business

"It's true that wireline is losing lines, but many of them are going to Verizon Wireless," said Robert Master, a spokesman for the communications workers.

The New York Times - Tech

SBC and the other Baby Bells are losing lines every day as people shift to wireless service and other alternatives.

Forbes

'Common wisdom' says that Verizon's is losing lines, but these are only the intrastate POTS copper based phone lines.

Huffington Post

It is calling for the closing of the PSTN and using data supplied by AT&T and Verizon; TAC's plan is to "transition" or "sunset" the network because the phone companies are ostensibly "losing lines" and losing money.

Huffington Post

For example, when AT&T and Verizon tell us they are losing lines, the special access wires are not part of the accounting, even though they represent the majority of access lines in America.

Huffington Post

They lost line-out throws to almost comical proportions.

The Guardian - Sport

The reader can't see where the lost lines would fit, or what they would add.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "losing line", ensure the context clearly indicates a course of action or strategy that leads to a negative outcome. This phrase is effective for emphasizing the inevitability of failure if a particular path is followed.

Common error

Avoid using "losing line" to describe general failures or states of being. This phrase specifically refers to a strategic or tactical approach that is destined to fail, not just any situation where something is lost.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "losing line" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a strategy, action, or course that is destined to fail or lead to a negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "losing line" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a strategy or course of action destined for failure. Ludwig AI confirms its legitimacy, though its frequency is rare. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to critically analyze situations and warn against unproductive paths. While synonyms such as "unsuccessful approach" or "failing tactic" offer alternatives, "losing line" specifically emphasizes the strategic misstep leading to the negative outcome. Use it when you want to pinpoint a flawed plan that inevitably leads to loss.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defeated strategy

Focuses on the failed plan or method, highlighting the element of defeat.

unsuccessful approach

Emphasizes the lack of success in a particular attempt or method.

failing tactic

Highlights the ineffectiveness of a specific tactic or maneuver.

disadvantageous course

Shifts the focus to the unfavorable nature of the chosen path.

ill-fated move

Emphasizes the unfortunate and doomed nature of an action.

counterproductive step

Highlights that action is not only failing to reach its objective, it's making things worse.

self-defeating action

Focuses on how a particular action is inherently likely to cause failure.

fruitless endeavor

Highlights the unproductive and barren nature of an undertaking.

doomed path

Emphasizes the certainty of failure associated with a particular course.

losing proposition

Highlights the fact that the business deal is bound to fail.

FAQs

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

You can use "losing line" to describe a strategy or action that leads to failure, as in, "The company realized they were on a "losing line" when sales continued to decline despite their marketing efforts."

What's a good alternative to "losing line"?

Alternatives include "unsuccessful approach", "failing tactic", or "disadvantageous course", depending on the specific context.

Is "losing line" the same as "lost cause"?

"Losing line" refers to a specific strategy or action that's failing, while "lost cause" describes a situation or endeavor that is hopeless and cannot be salvaged.

When is it appropriate to use "losing line" in professional writing?

It's suitable for professional writing when analyzing strategic errors or flawed plans. For example, "The analyst pointed out that pursuing this market segment was a "losing line" given the competition's dominance."