lowly pursuit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lowly pursuit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an activity or endeavor that is considered humble or of little importance. Example: "Despite the criticism, she found joy in her lowly pursuit of painting landscapes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There is still a tendency to consider the subject suitable primarily either for girls who cannot make the grade for a university or for those who intend to become teachers". My mother, university-educated but frustrated by her subsequent life as a housewife, was clearly one of those who ranked cooking as a lowly pursuit, and she passed her lack of interest (and her attitude) on to me.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I appreciated Paumgarten's Profile of Miyamoto, but found the hand-wringing about video games — worries that they are a lowly, even dangerous, pursuit — excessive.

The New Yorker

The legendary crime and western novelist Elmore Leonard, who died on Tuesday at 87, helped elevate literary genres once perceived as lowly into a respected and honorable pursuit.

The New York Times

There are two key elements to this very English revolt: a quest to revive the often moribund town and parish authorities long squashed by county, borough and district councils, and give them a new energy and purpose; and in the places where party politics has dominated even this lowly tier of government, the shoving aside of the big parties in pursuit of new ways of doing things.

The Guardian

As Nan's search for security takes him from Massachusetts to New York City and then to the Atlanta area, he encounters a colorful variety of Chinese expatriates and relatively native Americans, and copes with a series of lowly jobs, but the reader follows him for more than six hundred and fifty pages in pursuit of resolutions to the issues posed in the sentences above.

The New Yorker

I appreciated Paumgarten's Profile of Miyamoto, but found the hand-wringing about video games worries that they are a lowly, even dangerous, pursuit excessive.

The New Yorker

His beginnings were lowly.

The Economist

Peasant girl still too lowly?

The New Yorker

City closes against lowly Queens Park Rangers.

The New York Times

Lowly servicing became an afterthought.

The New York Times

Consider the lowly manhole cover.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lowly pursuit" when you want to subtly express that an activity is considered unimportant or of little value by some, but may still hold personal significance. It is useful for conveying irony or challenging societal norms.

Common error

Avoid using "lowly pursuit" in formal or professional settings where a neutral or positive tone is expected. The phrase can sound dismissive or condescending, so opt for more neutral terms like "modest endeavor" or "humble activity" to maintain a respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lowly pursuit" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "lowly" modifies the noun "pursuit". As Ludwig AI points out, it describes an activity or endeavor, often suggesting it is considered humble or of little importance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lowly pursuit" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression that describes an activity considered humble or of little importance. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct. While examples are rare, its presence in reputable news sources like The Guardian, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Economist indicates its acceptance in neutral to slightly formal contexts. The phrase often serves to convey irony or challenge societal norms, suggesting that activities deemed insignificant can still hold personal value. When using "lowly pursuit", be mindful of the potential negative connotations and choose more neutral alternatives in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humble endeavor

Replaces "lowly" with "humble", emphasizing the modesty of the activity.

modest ambition

Substitutes "pursuit" with "ambition", focusing on the aim but maintaining a sense of humility.

unassuming activity

Uses "unassuming" to convey the lack of pretension in the activity.

simple quest

Replaces "pursuit" with "quest", implying a journey, but keeps it "simple" to match the original's tone.

unremarkable task

Focuses on the ordinariness of the task.

minor undertaking

Highlights the small scale and perceived insignificance of the endeavor.

trivial occupation

Emphasizes the lack of importance or seriousness in the activity.

insignificant venture

Conveys the idea that the pursuit is not considered important or impactful.

low-status occupation

Focuses on the societal perception of the activity as having little value.

lesser calling

Implies that the pursuit is not as prestigious or valued as other professions.

FAQs

How can I use "lowly pursuit" in a sentence?

You can use "lowly pursuit" to describe an activity that is considered humble or of little importance, often with a hint of irony. For example, "Despite societal expectations, she dedicated her life to the "lowly pursuit" of gardening, finding immense satisfaction in nurturing life from the soil."

What are some alternatives to "lowly pursuit"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "humble endeavor", "modest ambition", or "unassuming activity". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the humility, the aim, or the lack of pretension in the activity.

Is "lowly pursuit" considered negative?

The phrase "lowly pursuit" can carry a slightly negative connotation, as "lowly" suggests a low status or value. However, it can also be used ironically or to challenge conventional views about what is considered important. The tone largely depends on the context and the speaker's intention.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "lowly pursuit"?

It is appropriate to use "lowly pursuit" when you want to acknowledge that an activity might be seen as unimportant by some, but you or someone else finds value or satisfaction in it. Avoid using it in situations where you want to show respect or admiration without any reservation.