lousy effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lousy effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a performance or attempt that is considered poor or subpar. Example: "The team's performance in the last game was a lousy effort, and they need to improve if they want to win."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now it is accusing Malaysia of incompetence and suggests it may need to hand over responsibility for the search after its "lousy" efforts.

The Guardian

At this rate, the next bunch of people stranded on a desert island with a TV crew is going to demand a whole lot more than a lousy million dollars for the effort.

The New York Times

Amanda Holden's effort – rubbish title, lousy typeface – superficially suggests that she might be making a last stand for that way of doing it, but no: even she seems to be aware that deconstructing your own book as you write it isn't the greatest of ideas.

The Guardian - Books

And yet, if you are great at social media but have a lousy Web site, your social media efforts will just allow you to annoy more people faster.

The New York Times

The effort is driven by the lousy economy, and specifically the concern that stringent greenhouse-gas reduction targets could raise costs for consumers and businesses and worsen unemployment.

The New York Times

Eric Smith, the safety who blocked a second-half punt that led to a field goal, said Monday that it was pretty much a group effort, which he described as "lousy".

The New York Times - Sports

Andrew Jacobs's update on efforts to rid China of lousy English signs has soared to the upper reaches of the most e-mailed list.

The New Yorker

Mr Obama's efforts to improve America's lousy public education system are acknowledged, though so too is the fact that far more needs to be done.

The Economist

–Overall this week, the Government has been pretty diligent in its efforts to make seeking asylum in Australia a pretty lousy option. .

Vice

With the equivocal license granted by the Author's Note, a reader might conclude that Lessing's nineteen-sixties consisted mainly of an effort to secure private happiness in a world of idiotic political posturing and lousy family dynamics.

The New Yorker

The economy's lousy performance since the bubble burst in 1990 is an old story, and all efforts to revive it seem to come to naught.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lousy effort", ensure the context clearly identifies what specifically made the effort poor, as this enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "lousy effort" in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for alternatives like "subpar performance" or "inadequate endeavor" to maintain a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lousy effort" functions as a descriptive term, characterizing a particular attempt or undertaking as inadequate or of poor quality. It combines the adjective "lousy", which denotes poor quality, with the noun "effort", which refers to the attempt itself. Ludwig indicates this phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lousy effort" describes an inadequate or poor attempt. While grammatically correct, as noted by Ludwig, it carries an informal tone. In formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "poor attempt" or "subpar performance". The choice depends on the context, with more professional environments favoring alternatives that maintain a more appropriate level of formality. While "lousy effort" is understandable, it's crucial to assess the situation and audience to ensure the chosen phrasing effectively conveys the intended message without sounding overly critical or informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor attempt

Replaces "lousy" with "poor", maintaining the same meaning of inadequate quality.

subpar performance

Substitutes both words, offering a more formal and professional alternative.

inadequate endeavor

Uses more sophisticated vocabulary to convey a similar meaning.

deficient undertaking

Provides a formal alternative, highlighting the insufficiency of the attempt.

failed attempt

Focuses on the lack of success in the endeavor.

weak undertaking

Highlights the feebleness or lack of strength in the effort.

inferior endeavor

Emphasizes the below-average quality of the effort.

shoddy work

Indicates carelessness and poor quality in the effort.

careless attempt

Highlights the lack of attention and diligence in the effort.

botched job

Suggests the effort was executed poorly, resulting in failure.

FAQs

What does "lousy effort" mean?

"Lousy effort" describes an attempt or performance that is of very poor quality or effectiveness. It implies dissatisfaction with the outcome due to the inadequacy of the effort exerted.

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

You might say, "The team's performance was a "lousy effort", and they need to improve significantly for the next game".

Are there more formal alternatives to "lousy effort"?

Yes, depending on the context, more formal alternatives include "poor attempt", "subpar performance", or "inadequate endeavor".

Is "lousy effort" appropriate for professional communication?

While understandable, "lousy effort" might be considered too informal for professional communication. It's generally better to use alternatives like "deficient undertaking" or "weak undertaking" in such contexts.