lousy job

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lousy job" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or work that is poorly done or unsatisfactory. Example: "After reviewing the report, I have to say it was a lousy job with many errors and inconsistencies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We've done a lousy job of counterpunching".

The New York Times

But computers still do a lousy job with the shampoo.

The Economist

Alas, they made a lousy job of it.

The Economist

Unfortunately, it is making a lousy job of the task.

The Economist

"The man who portrayed Jim did a lousy job.

The New York Times

"We're doing a lousy job with pop music," he said.

The New Yorker

In short, a hedge-fund manager can do a lousy job and still become very wealthy.

The New Yorker

"We've done a lousy job of teaching civics in the country," she said.

The New York Times

"We do a pretty lousy job of educating the younger generation of minorities.

The New York Times

It was seriously a lousy job and an even lousier summer.

The New York Times - Books

"We've done a lousy job in government," says a senior MDC man.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lousy job", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect of the work is unsatisfactory. Be specific about the deficiencies rather than relying solely on the adjective "lousy".

Common error

Avoid using "lousy job" without providing concrete examples of what made the job poor. Generic criticism can be demotivating and unhelpful; offer specific feedback for improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lousy job" functions as a noun phrase, where "lousy" is an adjective modifying the noun "job". It typically serves to describe or characterize work that is of poor quality or inadequately performed. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lousy job" is a commonly used expression to describe work or a task performed poorly. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently across various sources, especially in news and media. While the phrase is widely understood, more formal alternatives such as "substandard performance" or "inadequate effort" may be more appropriate in formal contexts. When using "lousy job", ensure the criticism is specific and constructive to avoid overgeneralization and demotivation. In summary, "lousy job" effectively conveys dissatisfaction, but the context should guide the choice between this informal expression and its more formal counterparts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badly done work

Emphasizes the negative quality of the work completed.

inferior quality work

Directly criticizes the quality of the delivered work.

terrible piece of work

Strongly expresses dissatisfaction with the quality of the work.

poorly executed task

Focuses on the execution quality of a task rather than an overall assessment.

shoddy workmanship

Specifically refers to poor quality in craft or manual labor.

substandard performance

Highlights a performance that falls below an expected standard.

deficient execution

Emphasizes the lack of proficiency in carrying out a task.

inadequate effort

Focuses on the lack of sufficient effort put into the work.

bungled assignment

Implies clumsiness or incompetence in handling the assignment.

botched attempt

Suggests a failed or ruined attempt at completing a task.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "lousy job"?

You can use alternatives like "poorly executed task", "badly done work", or "substandard performance" to express the same idea with varying degrees of formality and emphasis.

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

You can use "lousy job" to describe a task or performance that was poorly executed. For example: "The contractor did a "lousy job" on the roof repairs, and it still leaks." or "The presentation was a "lousy job"; it lacked clear information and structure."

Is "lousy job" appropriate for formal writing?

While "lousy job" is widely understood, it is considered informal. In formal writing, opt for more professional alternatives such as "substandard performance" or "inadequate effort".

What's the difference between "bad job" and "lousy job"?

Both "bad job" and "lousy job" indicate poor quality, but "lousy job" carries a slightly stronger connotation of contempt or disgust. "Bad job" is a more neutral assessment of poor performance.