lousy call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lousy call" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express dissatisfaction or disappointment with a decision or judgment made by someone, often in a sports or business context. Example: "The referee's decision to award a penalty was a lousy call that changed the outcome of the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

When Jordan took his sabbatical in 1993-94, the so-called Jordanaires won 55 games and were probably one lousy call (the infamous Hue Hollins judgment that Scottie Pippen fouled Hubert Davis) from reaching the Eastern Conference finals.

The New York Times - Sports

No, not with that lousy call that gave my boys the game in the last second, fresh in the mind.

The New York Times

It's not to redress some nagging and wholly personal psychic sore from having struck out (on a lousy call!) in 1965 with the game on the line and runners in scoring position.

The New York Times

LeBeau said: "If I make a bad call, I'm not going to stand up in front of them on Monday and say, 'You guys messed up that play.' I'm going to say: 'That was really a lousy call.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Something about lousy calls and an opponent named McEnroe.

The New York Times - Magazine

Left to his own devices, Grillos made some lousy calls.

Forbes

* If it's not bad enough the refs make lousy calls in the World Cup, FIFA will ban the controversial video from giant screens inside the stadium.

Huffington Post

Barack Obama ran against the odds of a lousy economy, calling for raising taxes on the rich to help invest in areas vital to our future.

Huffington Post

We all know that love is a social issue -- but while all love stories tell us something about our culture, the best ones are driven by the sometimes mystifying motivations of their characters, or, perhaps more accurately, by the vagaries of that lousy shot we call Cupid.

The New York Times

He'd grown lousy at returning calls, and the fellow who prided himself on punctuality often showed up an hour late.

The New York Times - Magazine

Its random ability to play the right notes at the right time, or at all, is part of what the orchestra chairman, the lousy clarinetist Peter Stevenson, calls "our entertainment package".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lousy call" to express strong disapproval of a decision, particularly in situations where fairness or competence is in question. For impact, reserve it for moments when the poor judgment significantly affects the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "lousy call" in formal reports or academic papers. Its informal tone can undermine the credibility of your argument. Opt for more professional alternatives such as "poor decision" or "unjustifiable ruling".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lousy call" functions as a subjective assessment, conveying a negative evaluation of a decision or action. It's typically used to express disapproval or dissatisfaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Sports

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lousy call" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express disapproval or criticism of a decision. While informal in tone, it appears across various reputable sources, especially within news and sports contexts. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, noting its function as a subjective assessment. Alternatives such as "poor decision" or "bad judgment" may be more appropriate for formal settings. The term serves to convey dissatisfaction, making it a potent, albeit informal, expression of negative judgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor decision

Focuses on the quality of the decision itself rather than the act of calling it.

bad judgment

Highlights the lack of wisdom or good sense in the call.

terrible ruling

Emphasizes the authoritative aspect of the call, framing it as a formal decision.

awful decision

Replaces "lousy" with a more common synonym, "awful", indicating strong disapproval.

questionable call

Suggests the call is open to debate or doubt, implying it may be incorrect.

unfortunate decision

Focuses on the negative consequences of the decision, rather than its quality.

misguided call

Highlights the error in reasoning or understanding that led to the call.

ill-advised call

Similar to "misguided", but implies a lack of careful consideration or planning.

dubious decision

Indicates the call is suspicious or unreliable.

unjustifiable call

Suggests there is no valid reason or excuse for the decision made.

FAQs

What does "lousy call" mean?

A "lousy call" refers to a decision or judgment that is considered very poor or inadequate. It expresses strong disapproval of the call and often implies that it was unfair or incompetent.

When is it appropriate to use "lousy call"?

The term "lousy call" is most appropriate in informal settings, such as conversations or casual writing, when expressing dissatisfaction with a decision. It's often used in the context of sports or business. Avoid using it in formal or academic writing.

What can I say instead of "lousy call"?

You can use alternatives like "poor decision", "bad judgment", or "terrible ruling" depending on the context.

Is "lousy call" grammatically correct?

Yes, "lousy call" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of an adjective modifying a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.