lost a case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost a case" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to indicate that a party did not win a legal proceeding. Example: "After months of preparation, the lawyer was disappointed to learn that they had lost a case in court."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We've never lost a case until this".

The New York Times - Sports

He is a lawyer and has just lost a case.

The New Yorker

Needless to say, Denny Crane, "never lost a case", won.

The Guardian

The board, by the way, has never lost a case.

The New York Times

"We have never ultimately lost a case," he said.

The New York Times - Science

As recently as 1987, tobacco companies had never lost a case or settled.

Independent

"In all my years, I've never lost a case," Shorrock told me.

The New Yorker

One of Mr Wade's donors was a lawyer who recently lost a case before him.

The Economist

Although Fields encourages the impression that he has never lost a case, the assertion is dubious.

The New Yorker

It was the only time the lead paint industry had lost a case.

The New York Times

He almost never lost a case against his weak, ineffective nemesis, District Attorney Hamilton Burger.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal matters, use "lost a case" to clearly and concisely convey that a party was unsuccessful in court. Ensure the context clearly indicates which party experienced the loss.

Common error

Avoid implying the loss of a single case signifies a lawyer's overall incompetence. The outcome of a case can depend on numerous factors beyond the attorney's control.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost a case" functions as a verb phrase that typically describes the outcome of legal proceedings. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used in various contexts, particularly within news and media. It serves to report or acknowledge an unsuccessful legal outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lost a case" is a grammatically correct and common way to describe an unsuccessful legal outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage, predominantly in News & Media. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, context is crucial to avoid misinterpretations about the reasons behind the loss or implying professional incompetence. Alternative phrases, such as "was defeated in court" or "failed to win the lawsuit", can provide slightly different nuances. Ultimately, using "lost a case" effectively involves clear and contextualized communication about legal proceedings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was defeated in court

Focuses on the general act of being overcome in a legal setting.

suffered a legal defeat

Highlights the negative impact and formal nature of the loss.

the court ruled against

Emphasizes the court's decision as the reason for losing.

unsuccessful in litigation

Uses more formal language to describe the lack of success in a legal battle.

failed to win the lawsuit

Focuses on the failure to achieve a victory in a specific lawsuit.

judgment went against

Emphasizes that the formal judgment of the court favored the opposing party.

claim was dismissed

Indicates the court rejected the claim being made.

the verdict favored the opposition

Highlights that the jury or judge sided with the other party.

did not prevail in the action

Uses formal language to indicate a lack of success in a legal action.

the decision was unfavorable

Indicates that the final decision or ruling was not in the party's favor.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "lost a case"?

Saying someone "lost a case" means they were unsuccessful in a legal proceeding, failing to achieve the desired outcome in court.

What are some alternatives to saying "lost a case"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was defeated in court", "suffered a legal defeat", or "failed to win the lawsuit", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lost a case"?

Yes, "lost a case" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English, especially in legal and news contexts.

How formal is the phrase "lost a case"?

The phrase "lost a case" is generally considered neutral in formality and is suitable for both news reports and professional discussions about legal matters. More formal alternatives exist, such as "did not prevail in the action".