lost terribly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost terribly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has experienced a significant loss, often in a competitive context, such as a game or contest. Example: "The team lost terribly in the championship game, leaving their fans disappointed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Former culture secretary Ben Bradshaw told the MPs that, despite what Harman said, voters would not be interested in Labour's attacks on Tories for a while, because Labour had lost terribly everywhere except London.

The Guardian

Foreign countries that shunned the dictatorship, hemming it in with sanctions, can exploit Myanmar's untapped market and treasure-house of natural resources.One group, however, has lost, and lost terribly.

The Economist

It lost terribly on 16-megabit memory chips and seems destined to lose on 64-megabit chips.

Forbes

It lost terribly on 16-megabit memory chips and seems destined to lose on 64-megabit chips, now that the spot price has fallen to $5.50.

Forbes

We lost terribly".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Not long after the breakup with Veronica, Tony had met, married and (eventually) been divorced from a nonenigmatic woman with "clear edges," someone he knew he wouldn't mind losing terribly much.

The New York Times - Books

An environment that placed my access to power on something mostly in the control of genetics then shamed me for attempting to tip the playing field in my favor after I found that I was losing terribly.

Huffington Post

It could be something you've never experienced yet feel you deserve, or something that you've lost and miss terribly".

Huffington Post

Even worse, Lou loses "something terribly important, the very core of who she is," when her most cherished misconception is shattered.

The New York Times - Books

He saw his "father really fight it, and lose pretty terribly," Clooney said of the embarrassing struggle to avoid such political patronage.

Huffington Post

After getting terribly lost, he finally returns to the villa.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lost terribly" to emphasize not just the fact of losing, but also the magnitude or severity of the loss. It is more impactful than simply saying someone "lost".

Common error

Avoid using "lost terribly" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral or precise terms like "suffered a significant loss" or "experienced a major setback" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost terribly" functions as a verbal phrase, where "lost" is the verb and "terribly" is an adverb modifying the verb to emphasize the degree of the loss. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost terribly" is a verbal phrase used to express a significant and impactful defeat. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable. While it appears mostly in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register, it's essential to consider the formality of the writing. Alternatives like "lost badly" or "suffered a heavy defeat" might be more appropriate for formal settings. As a tip, use "lost terribly" when you wish to stress the magnitude of the loss, and be mindful of the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost badly

Emphasizes the degree of the loss without focusing on the emotional impact as much.

suffered a heavy defeat

More formal and emphasizes the magnitude of the defeat.

was soundly defeated

Highlights the thoroughness of the defeat.

incurred a crushing loss

Emphasizes the emotional impact and severity of the loss.

met with utter failure

Focuses on the complete lack of success.

was thoroughly beaten

Highlights the completeness of the defeat.

experienced a disastrous setback

Emphasizes the negative impact and consequences of the loss.

faced a significant loss

A more general way of expressing a substantial loss.

went down in flames

Figurative, suggesting a spectacular and complete failure.

was utterly vanquished

A formal and somewhat archaic way of saying someone was completely defeated.

FAQs

What does "lost terribly" mean?

"Lost terribly" means to experience a significant defeat or loss. It emphasizes not just the act of losing, but also the magnitude or severity of the loss.

What can I say instead of "lost terribly"?

You can use alternatives like "lost badly", "suffered a heavy defeat", or "was soundly defeated" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lost terribly"?

Yes, "lost terribly" is grammatically correct and understandable, although it might be more appropriate in informal contexts. More formal alternatives exist, such as "suffered a significant loss".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "lost terribly"?

It's appropriate to use "lost terribly" when you want to emphasize the severity of a defeat or loss, adding an emotional weight to the statement. In more formal writing, consider using alternatives for a more neutral tone.