mammoth loss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mammoth loss" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a significant or enormous loss, whether financial, emotional, or in another context. For example: "The company faced a mammoth loss after the market crash." Alternative expressions include "huge loss" and "massive loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The high-priced acquisition failed to impress investors in the beleaguered German drug firm; its shares dipped.Delta wings clippedDelta Air Lines suffered a mammoth loss of nearly $2 billion in the latest quarter after charges of over $1.6 billion.

The Economist

The business has been a victim of America's poorly performing markets.Renault's profits rose in 2002, to euro2 billion ($1.9 billion), after a strong performance at Nissan, its part-owned Japanese carmaker.Philips made a record loss of euro3.2 billion ($3.0 billion) in 2002, despite earlier assuring investors that it would return to profit after a mammoth loss in 2001.

The Economist

Fink had always believed Ranieri was on the verge of a mammoth loss that would put him out of business.

Forbes

Indeed, since Holyhead's mammoth loss over the weekend, the club has reportedly won the attention -- and support -- of a number of influential people.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Mr. Orphanides denied Friday that regulatory lapses could have contributed to the huge exposure of the island's banks to Greece, which has saddled them with mammoth losses.

The New York Times

Throughout the boom years of the 1920's, the patrician trader had been an aggressive speculator in penny stocks, and he was hit with mammoth losses in the crash.

The New York Times

Privatization of government-owned copper mines in the 1990s relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated by the industry and greatly increased copper mining output and profitability to spur economic growth.

Forbes

The government was virtually handicapped warding off waves of anti-corruption sentiment, set off by an irresponsible CAG who went on presuming mammoth losses on the Government's populist policies, which the opposition rode to stall law making and policy implementation, abetting national growth.

Huffington Post

According to the article, the failure of Bear Stearns was caused "not by a criminal indictment or some mammoth quarterly loss but by rumor and innuendo that, as best one can tell, had little basis in fact".

The New York Times

Mr. Obama's remarks came on a hectic day in New York, where he attended two fund-raisers and offered his first public response to the mammoth trading losses suffered by JPMorgan Chase, which has renewed demands for stricter regulation of Wall Street.

The New York Times

A reputation that has taken decades to build up can be shattered in one day, as Société Générale learned following the mammoth trading losses accumulated by a single trader.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mammoth loss", ensure the context clearly conveys that the loss is exceptionally large and significant. Reserve this phrase for situations where the scale of the loss is truly remarkable.

Common error

Avoid using "mammoth loss" to describe small or insignificant losses. This diminishes the impact of the phrase and can make your writing sound hyperbolic. Consider using milder alternatives like "minor setback" or "slight decrease" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mammoth loss" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "mammoth" intensifies the noun "loss". It describes the magnitude or scale of the loss.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mammoth loss" is used to describe an exceptionally large or significant loss. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While the phrase is not incorrect, it should be used judiciously to prevent overstatement. Alternative phrases, such as "huge loss" or "massive loss", can be used depending on the specific context and desired level of emphasis. Remember to reserve "mammoth loss" for situations where the scale of the loss is truly remarkable to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

huge loss

Replaces "mammoth" with a more common synonym, retaining the core meaning of a large loss.

massive loss

Uses another synonym for "mammoth" to indicate a very large loss.

enormous loss

Emphasizes the size of the loss with a different adjective.

substantial loss

Indicates a considerable loss, though perhaps not as extreme as "mammoth".

considerable loss

Suggests a loss of noteworthy magnitude.

significant loss

Highlights the importance of the loss rather than just its size.

major setback

Focuses on the negative impact of the loss.

colossal failure

Highlights the severity of the loss in terms of failure.

heavy deficit

Specifically refers to a financial loss.

grave misfortune

Emphasizes the unfortunate nature of the loss.

FAQs

What does the phrase "mammoth loss" mean?

The phrase "mammoth loss" refers to a loss that is exceptionally large, significant, or enormous in scale. It implies a loss that is considerably greater than average.

What can I say instead of "mammoth loss"?

You can use alternatives like "huge loss", "massive loss", or "enormous loss" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "mammoth loss" in a formal setting?

Yes, "mammoth loss" can be used in formal settings, especially when describing a particularly large or impactful loss. However, ensure that the context warrants the use of such a strong adjective.

What is the difference between "mammoth loss" and "significant loss"?

"Mammoth loss" emphasizes the sheer size or scale of the loss, while "significant loss" highlights the importance or impact of the loss, regardless of its size. They are not always interchangeable.