lousy business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lousy business" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or activity that is poorly managed, disappointing, or unsatisfactory. Example: "The service at that restaurant was a lousy business; I won't be returning anytime soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"The dairy business is a lousy business.

The New York Times

Antibiotics are a lousy business, for one.

The New Yorker

"The Chorus Linee' model is a lousy business model," Eustis says.

The New Yorker

"It's a lousy business and a great game," Collins said in an afternoon telephone call.

The New York Times - Sports

He re-edited it, shortening it by 70 minutes, but it still did lousy business.

The Guardian - Film

"For new organisations, online is still a lousy business, but we can find other places where the business is.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Depending on your point of view, Leathers told me in a text, Lewinsky would have made smarter or lousier business decisions but she definitely would have tried to cash in a lot more, rather than trying to simultaneously profit off her infamy and separate herself from her scandal and get back the trajectory her life was on pre-Clinton.

Vice

Bespoke suits — like expensive couture gowns — are great for building a reputation, but they are lousy for business.

The New York Times - Magazine

Cheap DRAMs forced Intel out of this lousy commodity business and into high-margin microprocessors.

Forbes

"I was struggling for a business idea but hadn't thought of going on-line until I saw the lousy job these guys were doing," he says.

Forbes

People are drawn to L.A. by glamour, fame and sex, and that creates a lousy environment for business.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lousy business" to describe something bad, ensure the audience understands that it is a somewhat informal expression and may not be suitable in all contexts.

Common error

While "lousy business" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid it in highly formal business reports or academic papers. Opt for more professional alternatives like "unprofitable venture" or "poorly performing enterprise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lousy business" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "lousy" modifies the noun "business". It describes the business as being of poor quality or performing badly. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English to describe something unsatisfactory.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lousy business" is a common and acceptable way to describe an enterprise or activity performing poorly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively informal, it's found in reputable news sources, indicating its general acceptability. When using this phrase, consider the context and audience, opting for more formal alternatives like "unprofitable venture" in professional settings. Related phrases include "poor business venture" or "failing company". Remember to tailor your language to the specific situation and maintain clarity in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor business venture

Replaces "lousy" with "poor", focusing on the financial risk and potential loss associated with a bad business.

unprofitable enterprise

Uses more formal language to highlight the lack of financial success of the business.

failing company

Focuses on the decline and potential collapse of the business.

unsuccessful operation

Emphasizes the lack of achievement and positive outcomes in the business's activities.

bad investment

Highlights the negative return and potential loss of capital in the business.

poorly managed firm

Focuses on the incompetence and inefficiency in the business's administration and leadership.

ill-fated project

Implies that the business was destined for failure from the beginning, often due to inherent flaws or misfortunes.

floundering organization

Emphasizes the business's struggle to stay afloat and maintain its operations.

deficient commercial activity

Replaces "lousy" with deficient, which indicates that the level of commercial activity is below the expectations.

subpar business

Highlights that business is under the average or expected quality.

FAQs

How can I use "lousy business" in a sentence?

You can use "lousy business" to describe a company, investment, or situation that is performing poorly or is generally undesirable. For example, "The dairy business is a "lousy business" because you can't make money milking cows".

What phrases are similar to "lousy business"?

Similar phrases include "poor business venture", "unprofitable enterprise", or "failing company". These alternatives convey a similar sense of negativity and lack of success.

Is "lousy business" appropriate for formal writing?

While "lousy business" is widely understood, it's relatively informal. In formal writing, consider using more professional alternatives like "underperforming asset" or "financially unsound enterprise".

When is it appropriate to use the term "lousy business"?

The term "lousy business" is appropriate when you want to convey a negative sentiment about a company, project or enterprise using more colourful informal language. However, you must consider the context before using, as in some cases is better to use more professional synonyms.