lousy timing

USAGE SUMMARY

"lousy timing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the timing of a particular situation or event being particularly bad or unfortunate. For example, "That's some lousy timing, we just got the news that our flight was delayed right when we were about to leave for the airport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It was no time to dwell on the lousy timing of an injury barrage that forced him to miss the playoffs after he endured 11 losing seasons as an Oriole.

The New York Times - Sports

TALK about lousy timing.

The New York Times - Travel

The true sticking point may be that the two camps just have lousy timing.

The New York Times

"For him, it's fantastic; for us, it's lousy timing," said a spokesman for the embassy, Jonathan Peled.

The New York Times

About the only thing you can fault the Miami Heat on these days is their lousy timing.

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, when it comes to starting a magazine, you might say Hearst has a knack for pretty lousy timing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Their timing was lousy.

The New York Times

For an action-comedy, its timing is lousy.

The Guardian - Film

"Excuse me," he says, knowing all too well that his timing is lousy.

The New Yorker

With hindsight, I realise my timing was lousy: in the ups and downs of a relationship, we weren't ready.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Mr. MacKay contacted him about the Chicago job, Mr. Cuno said the timing was "lousy," but he knew that such an opportunity, at what he described as the "leading municipal art museum in America," would not come around again soon.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lousy timing" to express frustration or disappointment when an event occurs at an inconvenient or inappropriate moment.

Common error

Avoid using "lousy timing" in overly formal contexts. While widely understood, "lousy" can sound informal or colloquial. Opt for more neutral terms like "poor timing" or "unfortunate timing" in professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lousy timing" functions as a descriptive phrase, where the adjective "lousy" modifies the noun "timing". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The phrase serves to characterize the timing of an event or situation as particularly unfavorable or unfortunate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lousy timing" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe an event occurring at a particularly bad or inconvenient moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted in written English. While "lousy" itself is slightly informal, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, especially news, general media, and business communications. Alternatives such as "poor timing" or "unfortunate timing" can be used for a more formal tone. Remember to avoid using "lousy timing" in highly formal academic or scientific writing where a more neutral term might be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible timing

Emphasizes the severity of the bad timing.

awful timing

Similar to 'terrible timing' but with a slightly less intense negative connotation.

poor timing

A more general term indicating that the timing was not ideal.

bad timing

A common and direct way to express that the timing was unfavorable.

unfortunate timing

Highlights the element of bad luck associated with the timing.

inopportune moment

Uses a more formal tone to indicate an unsuitable time.

untimely moment

Suggests that the timing was inappropriate or premature.

ill-timed

A concise adjective to describe something that happened at a bad time.

inconvenient timing

Focuses on the disruption or trouble caused by the timing.

unfavorable circumstances

Shifts the focus from timing to the overall situation being detrimental.

FAQs

What does "lousy timing" mean?

"Lousy timing" refers to a situation where something happens at a particularly bad or inconvenient moment.

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

You might say, "It was "bad timing" that the printer broke right before the deadline" or "The announcement had "terrible timing" because the company was already facing criticism".

What are some alternatives to "lousy timing"?

You can use alternatives like "poor timing", "bad timing", or "unfortunate timing", depending on the context.

Is "lousy timing" appropriate for formal writing?

While understandable, "lousy timing" leans toward the informal. In formal writing, consider "unfortunate timing" or "poor timing" for a more professional tone.