lost heavily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost heavily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant loss, often in the context of gambling, investments, or competitions. Example: "After a series of poor decisions, the team lost heavily in the final match, resulting in their elimination from the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hoopes emphasized that Worley had lost heavily in the scam.

The New Yorker

His VLD party lost heavily across the country.

The Economist

Both times he lost heavily to the LDP's Mr Kato.

The Economist

Admittedly, they then lost heavily to Fiji at The Stoop.

The Guardian - Sport

Yes, England lost heavily here two years ago.

The Guardian - Sport

And only David Cameron, a no-show, lost heavily.

The Guardian

Parties promising a European welfare state lost heavily.

The New York Times

Many, including Mr Soros, lost heavily by failing to anticipate which countries would be dragged down.

The Economist

We had lost heavily but were not yet broken up," reported Willis.

The New York Times

Yet on May 4th his hand-picked candidate to succeed him lost heavily in elections.

The Economist

While they gained, others especially pensioners and holders of bonds lost heavily.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lost heavily" to clearly convey a significant defeat or loss, especially in contexts like sports, elections, or financial matters. Ensure the subject of the sentence is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "lost heavily" in situations where the loss is minimal or insignificant. The term implies a substantial degree of loss, so ensure it aligns with the actual severity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost heavily" functions as a verb phrase, specifically acting as the predicate of a sentence. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it describes the action of losing in a significant or substantial manner, such as in sports, elections, or financial contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

11%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost heavily" is a commonly used verb phrase to describe a significant loss or defeat, as validated by Ludwig AI. Grammatically correct and frequently appearing in news and media, it emphasizes the magnitude of the loss, be it in sports, elections, or financial contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral, it’s crucial to ensure the severity of the loss aligns with the term’s implications. Alternatives like "suffered a major defeat" or "incurred substantial losses" can be used depending on the context. When employing the phrase "lost heavily", consider the specific context and ensure it accurately reflects the substantial nature of the loss being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffered a major defeat

Focuses on the defeat aspect, emphasizing the magnitude of the loss in a competition or conflict.

were soundly defeated

Similar to 'suffered a major defeat', but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the completeness of the defeat.

incurred substantial losses

Highlights the financial implications, suitable for describing business or investment failures.

were badly beaten

Conveys a sense of being outmatched and overwhelmed in a competition.

took a significant hit

Emphasizes the negative impact of a loss, often in terms of damage or setback.

experienced a considerable setback

Focuses on the impediment to progress caused by the loss.

endured significant damage

Highlights the harm or impairment resulting from a loss.

met with utter failure

Emphasizes the complete lack of success.

vanquished completely

Highlights how totality in destruction or defeat.

came up short

A bit more informal, emphasizing that there was a failure to achieve the desired outcome, in cases in which there was at least an attempt to succeed.

FAQs

How can I use "lost heavily" in a sentence?

Use "lost heavily" to describe a situation where there has been a significant loss. For example, "The team "lost heavily" in the final match," or "The investor "lost heavily" due to the market crash."

What's a good alternative to "lost heavily"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "suffered a major defeat", "incurred substantial losses", or "were soundly defeated".

Is it ever incorrect to use "lost heavily"?

While grammatically correct, "lost heavily" should be avoided when describing minor losses. It's best suited for situations involving substantial setbacks or defeats.

What does "lost heavily" imply about the context?

"Lost heavily" suggests that the loss was significant, either in terms of amount, impact, or degree. It implies a more substantial defeat or loss than simply "lost".