managed to succeed

USAGE SUMMARY

"managed to succeed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone has achieved success or accomplished a goal in a difficult situation. For example: Despite the challenging circumstances, she managed to succeed in her efforts to expand her business.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Somehow, he managed to succeed".

The New Yorker

Mr. Nagin has not managed to succeed on either count.

The New York Times

I think I managed to succeed in that regard.

The Guardian - Books

Let's ask jockeys Julie Krone, Donna Barton and others how they managed to succeed.

The New York Times

How had these people with schizophrenia managed to succeed in their studies and at such high-level jobs?

The New York Times

And he hopes they will learn from places that have managed to succeed in the hard work of school turnaround.

The Washington Post

Policy experts said that the decision unfairly penalized students who had managed to succeed despite being swindled.

The New York Times

He has now managed to succeed him.The Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, was quick to congratulate Mr Khanal, though few doubt that this was India's least-preferred outcome.

The Economist

Thanks to private innovation, public sector investments, and a good deal of luck, Boston has managed to succeed despite its highly constrained legal structure.

Harvard University

She contested the fourth and final round alone and managed to succeed where Ping had failed, winning support from 37 out of the 51 eligible member states.

The Guardian

Most impressively of all, he has managed to succeed not simply as a director, but at one of the most difficult jobs in the arts: running the National.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "managed to succeed" when you want to emphasize both the effort involved and the ultimate success in overcoming a challenge. It adds a nuance of difficulty overcome.

Common error

Avoid constructions that obscure who "managed to succeed". Use active voice to clearly identify the successful individual or group, improving clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "managed to succeed" functions as a verb phrase indicating the successful completion of an action or achievement, often implying that the outcome was not easily attained. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "managed to succeed" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has achieved a goal, often in the face of difficulty. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely used across diverse sources, but more so in news and media. While alternatives like "succeeded in achieving" exist, "managed to succeed" carries the specific connotation of overcoming challenges. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by identifying the actor and avoiding overuse of the passive voice. Overall, "managed to succeed" is a reliable and effective choice for conveying accomplishment in challenging situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succeeded in achieving

Focuses specifically on the act of achieving something.

accomplished the goal

Highlights the attainment of a specific goal.

attained the objective

Emphasizes reaching a pre-defined objective.

triumphed despite the odds

Conveys the idea of overcoming significant obstacles to achieve victory.

prevailed against adversity

Highlights the ability to overcome hardship and continue.

navigated to success

Suggests a careful and strategic approach to reaching a positive result.

realized the ambition

Implies the fulfilment of a long-held ambition or aspiration.

brought to fruition

Focuses on the successful completion of a project or plan.

came to fruition

Focuses on the result of a project

was able to

Implies capability. Omits the element of success/achievement.

FAQs

What does "managed to succeed" mean?

The phrase "managed to succeed" means that someone was able to achieve a goal or overcome a challenge, often implying that it was difficult or required effort.

How can I use "managed to succeed" in a sentence?

You can use "managed to succeed" to describe someone's accomplishment after facing obstacles. For example: "Despite the setbacks, she "managed to succeed" in her project."

What are some alternatives to "managed to succeed"?

Some alternatives to "managed to succeed" include "succeeded in achieving", "accomplished the goal", or "triumphed despite the odds".

Is it better to say "managed to succeed" or simply "succeeded"?

While both are correct, "managed to succeed" implies that there were challenges or difficulties overcome. Simply saying "succeeded" is a more general statement of achievement.