make a comeback

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a comeback" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has been successful after a period of being unsuccessful. For example: Tom seems to have made a comeback since he improved his performance at work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can Russia's Communist Party Make A Comeback?

Forbes

"Maybe they'll make a comeback".

The New York Times - Sports

Could punch make a comeback?

The New York Times - Food

Can Sarko make a comeback?

The New York Times

"He might make a comeback.

The New York Times - Sports

Can Coal Make a Comeback?

Columbia University

Christmas stockings would soon make a comeback!

The New York Times

Perhaps candles will make a comeback.

The Economist

The Persians could make a comeback.

The New Yorker

Can Twinkies make a comeback?

The Washington Post

Will Virgin make a comeback?

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a comeback" to describe a return to success or popularity after a period of decline. Ensure the subject has genuinely experienced a period of reduced success before using this phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "make a comeback" when describing initial success or improvement from a neutral starting point. The phrase implies a prior period of decline or reduced prominence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a comeback" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a return to success, popularity, or prominence after a period of decline. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a comeback" is a common and versatile expression used to describe a return to success or popularity after a period of decline. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. While it's generally appropriate for most situations, more formal alternatives like "return to prominence" might be preferred in certain settings. Remember to use this phrase when there's a clear indication of a previous setback followed by a recovery. With examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, you can confidently use "make a comeback" in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a recovery

Similar to "make a comeback", but emphasizes the act of recovering from a negative situation, such as illness or financial loss.

return to prominence

Focuses on regaining a high position or status.

stage a recovery

Focuses on the process of recovering rather than just the return.

experience a resurgence

Highlights a renewed increase in popularity or activity.

rebound strongly

Emphasizes the strength and vigor of the return.

rise again

Implies overcoming significant obstacles to return to a higher position.

bounce back

More informal and emphasizes resilience and quick recovery.

become popular again

Focuses specifically on regaining popularity.

revive

A more concise way of expressing the return to life or activity.

rally

Suggests a renewed effort to improve after a decline.

FAQs

How can I use "make a comeback" in a sentence?

You can use "make a comeback" to describe someone or something that has regained popularity or success after a period of decline. For example, "After a series of injuries, the athlete managed to "stage a recovery" and "make a recovery" to win the championship".

What are some alternatives to "make a comeback"?

Alternatives include "rebound strongly", "return to prominence", or "experience a resurgence", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "make a comeback" in formal writing?

Yes, "make a comeback" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, though more formal alternatives like "return to prominence" might be preferred in some academic or professional contexts.

When should I not use the phrase "make a comeback"?

Avoid using "make a comeback" when describing something that is newly successful or has always been successful. The phrase implies a return from a previous state of decline or reduced popularity.