lousy lot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lousy lot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of people or things that are considered undesirable or of poor quality. Example: "I can't believe we ended up with such a lousy lot of candidates for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In one key scene in Leigh's film the overweight teenage son (James Corden) has a heart attack on the estate, and Manville – pinched, mousy and throughout poised to cry over her lousy lot, cradles her massive boy where he lies.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's a terrific role, since Moll has all the best jokes, blithely filthy, plus heartfelt speeches on the lousy lot of most working women, and wants nothing but to remain herself, in profit, and at a sane distance from the bourgeoisie.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

People feel that there's something strange and lousy about a lot of our public discussion, but they can't quite put their finger on what's bothering them.

The New Yorker

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet People feel that there's something strange and lousy about a lot of our public discussion, but they can't quite put their finger on what's bothering them.

The New Yorker

He describes the institute as "an effort to create a 'town-gown' intellectual centre in new York, combining academia, the worlds of publishing and writing, musicians, diplomats, journalists, politicians, painters... a kind of All Souls with lousy food and lots of good talk".

The Guardian - Books

Great visuals, lousy plot.

The New Yorker

"Sometimes it's because there are a lot of lousy appraisers just as there are lots of incompetents in every profession," said Ken Russ of Realty Appraisal Inc. in Nutley, N.J.

The New York Times

A lot of "lousy" jobs are not affected by the technology revolution, either — nonroutine, manual tasks like collecting the garbage or peeling and chopping onions in a restaurant kitchen.

The New York Times

-- but we sure as hell know what GM did: It made a lot of lousy cars.

Huffington Post

It's worth noting, too, that there were a lot of lousy headlines about this survey that asserted that "A Third Of Millennials Aren't Sure The Earth Is Round" or "Only Two-Thirds Of American Millennials Believe The Earth Is Round".

Vice

In the old days, there were a few good teams, lots of lousy teams and one great one, Arsenal.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lousy lot" to express disapproval or disappointment about a group or situation. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is considered "lousy".

Common error

Avoid using "lousy lot" in formal or professional settings where a more sophisticated or nuanced critique is expected. Opt for alternatives like "substandard group" or "deficient collection" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lousy lot" functions as a descriptive term, specifically an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It serves to negatively characterize a group of people or items, indicating they are of poor quality or undesirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lousy lot" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express disapproval or disappointment with a group or situation. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, it is usable in English writing. It's more appropriate for neutral or informal contexts, such as news articles or casual conversation. While alternatives like "bad bunch" or "inferior group" exist, it is essential to consider the audience and purpose when selecting the most appropriate phrasing. Although the number of examples is not high, making it a rare expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad bunch

Uses "bunch" instead of "lot", implying a group of undesirable individuals.

wretched collection

Shares a very negative tone implying a pitiful collection.

dreadful bunch

A negative expression about a group or collection.

poor excuse

Focuses on inadequacy as justification.

disappointing set

Emphasizes the disappointment associated with a particular set of items or people.

inferior group

Emphasizes the substandard quality of a group.

subpar selection

Focuses on the selection process resulting in something below standard.

unfortunate group

Highlights the unfortunate nature or circumstances of the group.

deficient collection

Highlights the lack of quality or completeness in a collection.

unimpressive array

Highlights the lack of impressiveness in an assortment.

FAQs

What does "lousy lot" mean?

The phrase "lousy lot" refers to a group of people or things considered to be of poor quality, undesirable, or disappointing.

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

You might say, "I can't believe we ended up with such a "lousy lot" of candidates for the position." It expresses dissatisfaction with the candidates' quality.

What are some alternatives to saying "lousy lot"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "bad bunch", "poor excuse", or "inferior group" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "lousy lot" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "lousy lot" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "deficient collection" or "subpar selection" to maintain a professional tone.