narrow loss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "narrow loss" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a defeat or failure that was close or almost avoided. Example: Despite their best efforts, the team suffered a narrow loss in the final minutes of the game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

After a narrow loss to Lindenhurst last week, Commack's football players watched the Bulldogs celebrate.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Nixon did not contest a narrow loss in that presidential election to John F. Kennedy.

The New York Times

Hansen says the team are keen to lift after their narrow loss to the Springboks.

The Guardian - Sport

A win at Colorado was followed by a trip to San Jose for a narrow loss.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Giuliani blamed his narrow loss to David N. Dinkins that November on Mr. Lauder's ferocious primary campaign.

The New York Times

But a narrow loss is still a loss -- and for him, the moment to concede has come.

The New York Times

But Nixon's narrow loss in the election may have involved more than just his poor makeup during the debates.

The New York Times

Nixon's narrow loss to Kennedy has been attributed to many things, including possible skulduggery in the voting in Chicago.

The New York Times

Despite a narrow loss in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Union Rags exited 2011 with his reputation intact.

The New York Times - Sports

There was a narrow loss in the Futurity at Belmont Park and a desultory fifth-place finish in the Champagne Stakes in October.

The New York Times - Sports

But Mr. Green's supporters made clear that they felt Mr. Ferrer's supporters deserved at least part of the blame for Mr. Green's narrow loss.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "narrow loss" when you want to emphasize the closeness of a defeat. It suggests the outcome could have easily been different.

Common error

Avoid using "narrow loss" to describe a defeat where the competition was clearly one-sided. The phrase implies a tight, competitive situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrow loss" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes the type of defeat experienced. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is frequently used and easily understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sports

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "narrow loss" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a defeat by a small margin. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across various contexts. The phrase is primarily found in news and media, particularly in sports reporting, where the closeness of the game is often emphasized. While "narrow loss" is appropriate for neutral and general contexts, it is crucial to ensure the competition was indeed close to avoid misuse. Alternatives like "close defeat" or "slight loss" can be used for nuanced expression, yet "narrow loss" is best when underlining the minimal difference between winning and losing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close defeat

Refers to a loss where the score difference or margin was minimal.

slight loss

Highlights the small degree of defeat.

marginal defeat

Emphasizes that the defeat was achieved by a minimal amount or degree.

razor-thin defeat

Indicates a defeat by an extremely small margin, like the thinness of a razor.

close call

Implies that the situation could have easily resulted in a win, but ended in a loss.

near miss

Indicates the outcome was very close to being a success but ultimately failed.

squeaked out loss

Describes a loss where the victor barely managed to win.

tight loss

Implies a competitive situation resulting in a loss where opponents were nearly equal.

nip-and-tuck loss

Evokes an image of a closely contested situation, constantly shifting, before ultimately resulting in a loss.

hard-fought loss

Highlights the intense effort made despite the ultimate defeat.

FAQs

How to use "narrow loss" in a sentence?

You can use "narrow loss" to describe situations where the defeat was by a small margin. For example, "Despite a strong effort, the team suffered a "narrow loss"."

What can I say instead of "narrow loss"?

You can use alternatives like "close defeat", "slight loss", or "marginal defeat" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "narrow loss" or "slight win"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they describe opposite outcomes. "Narrow loss" indicates a close defeat, while "slight win" suggests a close victory.

What's the difference between "narrow loss" and "defeat"?

"Defeat" is a general term for losing, while "narrow loss" specifically implies that the loss was by a small margin or close score. It emphasizes the competitiveness of the situation.