maiden trophy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maiden trophy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the first trophy won by an individual or team in a competition or event. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, the team finally claimed their maiden trophy at the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

While the Lady Pies look to bounce back, the Blues are setting their sights high after their maiden trophy success.

Independent

As hosts, Morocco will want to play well in front of their home crowd and reward them with the maiden trophy at this level.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Brendan Rodgers refused to discuss personal significance in the aftermath of this procession towards the Northern Irishman's maiden managerial trophy.

The Guardian - Sport

They have since beaten the world in the shortest format, winning England's maiden ICC global trophy under the captaincy of Paul Collingwood in the West Indies last May.

The Guardian - Sport

Vengeful Mrs Giant descends the beanstalk to crush the human who done her man wrong; the princes compete over fresh trophy maidens; Red Riding Hood has defeated the wolf, but is left a frightened orphan, and not the only one onstage.

The Guardian

But one big question remains: can she lift either trophy on her maiden appearance?

BBC

Villas-Boas moves to Chelsea following the departure of Italian Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked at the end of a trophyless campaign last season, despite him having won two trophies in his maiden season the previous year.

BBC

It is only the first step to breaking the 'Curse of the Crucible' as no maiden winner has gone on to retain the trophy the following year.

BBC

On its maiden voyage in 1952 it captured the Atlantic Blue Riband speed trophy for the fastest crossing of that ocean: 3 days, 10 hours and 42 minutes.

The New York Times

Classic trials, plus a new opening-day race, the richly endowed Tattersalls Timeform Trophy, are backed up by a series of maiden races worth setting the video for.

The Guardian

Rose's maiden major triumph also made him the first English golfer to lift the trophy since Tony Jacklin 43 years ago, and propelled him to a career-high of third in the world rankings.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maiden trophy" to emphasize the significance of a first-time achievement, particularly when the recipient has a history of near-misses or consistent effort.

Common error

Avoid using "maiden trophy" in contexts where 'maiden' could be misinterpreted as referring to an unmarried woman. Ensure the context clearly indicates it's about a first-time achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maiden trophy" functions as a noun phrase, where "maiden" modifies the noun "trophy". This construction typically highlights the newness or the fact that it is the first of its kind. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maiden trophy" refers to the first trophy won. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable, although rare. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral tone. When writing, use "maiden trophy" to emphasize a first-time achievement and be mindful of potential misinterpretations of the word "maiden". Consider alternatives like "first trophy" or "inaugural trophy" for clarity or variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first trophy

Focuses on the chronological order of achievement, highlighting it is the initial win.

inaugural trophy

Emphasizes the newness and beginning nature of the trophy in the context of the competition.

first-ever trophy

Stresses uniqueness and unprecedented nature of winning the trophy.

initial championship

Shifts focus to a championship title, indicating a significant win.

breakthrough win

Highlights the difficulty overcome to achieve the victory, emphasizing progress.

first victory

A simple and direct alternative, emphasizing the act of winning.

premiere title

Implies a high status and importance associated with the initial title.

groundbreaking achievement

Highlights the novelty and potential impact of the accomplishment.

virgin title

Synonymous with maiden, this implies it has not been won before.

unprecedented triumph

Shows a celebratory, formal emphasis on how this initial trophy breaks expectations.

FAQs

What does "maiden trophy" mean?

The phrase "maiden trophy" refers to the first trophy or significant victory achieved by an individual, team, or organization in a particular competition or field.

How to use "maiden trophy" in a sentence?

You might say, "The team celebrated their "maiden trophy" after years of dedication", or "Winning this competition marks our organization's "maiden trophy"".

What can I say instead of "maiden trophy"?

You can use alternatives like "first trophy", "inaugural trophy", or "first-ever trophy" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "maiden trophy" formal or informal?

The phrase "maiden trophy" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in sports and news reporting. However, be aware that 'maiden' could have alternate meanings in different contexts, so ensuring clarity is key.