met with misfortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "met with misfortune" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has experienced bad luck or unfortunate events. Example: "After years of hard work, he met with misfortune when his business unexpectedly failed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the months that followed, Durazzo held firm against the Normans, and Bohemond met with misfortune in Albania.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Russian Aliya Mustafina only managed to raise a smile when one of her competitors met with misfortune, prompting one comedian to suggest her expression was "brought to you by salt and vinegar".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Also, the appearance of these stars coincided with the sailing season in antiquity; sailors were well advised to set sail only when the Pleiades were visible at night, lest they meet with misfortune.

Wikipedia

Two studies, incorporating the responses of 395 college students, found that those who were more physically attractive were more likely to agree with statements like: "I feel that people get what they are entitled to have" and "I feel that people who meet with misfortune have brought it on themselves".

Vice

Services rendered to them were often repaid by gifts of gold from their hoards; but those who stole their treasures either met with great misfortune thereafter or found the gold turned to dead leaves when they reached home.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The bad news is that Sporting have been anything but consistent over September, and will have to hope several players on international duty this week don't meet with any misfortune.

The Guardian - Sport

Homer purchases a severed monkey's hand that will grant four wishes, despite the vendor's warning that the wisher will meet with grave misfortune.

Wikipedia

Renard, who outlived Kafka by only a few years, also met with his share of adult misfortune.

The New Yorker

In my memory, there were Greek letters burned into one side, and crowded around them were the signatures of other Beta Epsilons, men we'd never met, with old-fashioned nicknames like Lefty and Slivers — names, to me, as synonymous with misfortune as Smith and Wesson.

The New Yorker

It was his misfortune to have both these great classic performances displayed in productions that met with considerable critical hostility and public indifference.

The Guardian - Film

I met with people.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "met with misfortune", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature and extent of the unfortunate event. This phrase is often used to introduce a turning point or a significant challenge in a narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "met with misfortune" in everyday conversations. It's a somewhat formal and serious phrase that's better suited for writing or more solemn discussions, not casual chats.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "met with misfortune" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating that someone or something has experienced an unfortunate event or series of negative circumstances. Ludwig AI's examples highlight its use in describing setbacks, challenges, or periods of difficulty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "met with misfortune" is a phrase used to describe the experience of encountering bad luck or unfortunate events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across various contexts, though it's more suited to formal writing and serious discussions rather than casual conversation. Its neutral to formal register and less-than-common frequency suggest careful consideration of the context when choosing this phrase. Related phrases like "encountered hardship" or "suffered a setback" can offer alternative ways to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountered hardship

Replaces "misfortune" with a broader term for difficulties; more general.

experienced adversity

Similar to encountering hardship, but focuses on challenging situations.

suffered a setback

Emphasizes a temporary halt or reversal of progress; less severe.

had a run of bad luck

Highlights a series of unfortunate events; emphasizes chance.

fell on hard times

Focuses on a period of difficulty, often financial.

ran into trouble

A more general phrase indicating the occurrence of problems.

was plagued by ill fate

Implies a more severe and persistent form of bad luck.

faced dire straits

Emphasizes a very difficult or dangerous situation.

endured a tragedy

Highlights a deeply sorrowful or devastating event; much stronger.

came to grief

Suggests a disastrous outcome or a state of sorrow.

FAQs

How can I use "met with misfortune" in a sentence?

You can use "met with misfortune" to describe someone who has experienced bad luck or unfortunate events. For example: "After years of hard work, he "met with misfortune" when his business unexpectedly failed."

What are some alternatives to "met with misfortune"?

Alternatives include "encountered hardship", "suffered a setback", or "experienced adversity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "met with misfortune" formal or informal?

"Met with misfortune" is considered a relatively formal phrase, best suited for written content or serious discussions rather than casual conversations.

What's the difference between "met with misfortune" and "had bad luck"?

"Met with misfortune" is a stronger and more formal expression than "had bad luck". The former suggests a significant negative event or situation, while the latter can refer to minor, everyday inconveniences.