on a low note

USAGE SUMMARY

"on a low note" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe the end of something, often an event, speech, or experience, as being less successful or disappointing than expected. For example: "The event ended on a low note, with fewer attendees than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

On Fox, "Almost Human" ended its first season on a low note, dropping one-tenth of a point to 1.5 in the key demo.

Los Angeles Times

In Europe, the year ended on a low note.

The Guardian

For all the violence, the story will not end on a low note.

The New York Times - Arts

The conference began on a low note after delegates failed to reach an agreement at Copenhagen.

The Guardian

Peace, who insisted the boardroom change was not being forced upon the bank by shareholders, told Sands: "I don't think you're going out on a low note".

The Guardian - Business

And Mr. Corzine hardly wants to go out on a low note, not when regulation is about to transform the securities industry and he has enough contacts in Washington to help shape the process.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

But even as it has managed to grow its mobile audience this year, Yahoo is exiting 2013 on something of a low note: not one of its apps is in the top 100 chart on the iTunes App Store.

TechCrunch

The pluck of a low note on his bass and the trill of an accordion called to Ana Palma, who was standing among the graves in a big dusty cemetery down a dirt road, past the junkyards and lean-tos on the outskirts of this city, Mexico's most violent.

The New York Times

If anything good came out of the situation, it was that it left me feeling that I had to bite the bullet and make sure I didn't leave rugby on such a low note".

Independent

By making a cake for friends, West insists, "one is striking a low note on a scale that is struck higher up by Beethoven and Mozart".

The Guardian - Books

If "pitch" describes how high or low a sound is, how would you play a high note on a xylophone or a low note on a clarinet?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a low note" to describe the conclusion of events, periods, or performances when the outcome is less desirable than expected. It's particularly effective for conveying a sense of anticlimax or disappointment.

Common error

Avoid using "on a low note" when referring to events that simply concluded uneventfully, rather than those that ended with a specific disappointment or downturn. Use more neutral terms if the ending was simply unremarkable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a low note" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action concludes. Ludwig AI provides examples showcasing its use in describing the end of events, seasons, and even careers.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a low note" is a common and correct way to describe an ending that is disappointing or unsuccessful. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical standing and provides numerous examples from news and media sources. When writing, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey; synonyms like "end in disappointment" or "conclude poorly" might offer a slightly different emphasis. While suitable for formal and informal contexts, always assess your audience. Use it to effectively communicate anticlimactic or unfavorable conclusions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close on a sour note

Uses "sour" to describe the unpleasantness of the ending.

end on a downbeat

Emphasizes the pessimistic tone of the ending.

finish unsuccessfully

Highlights the lack of success at the end.

conclude poorly

Emphasizes the substandard quality of the ending.

end in disappointment

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment as the primary outcome.

culminate in failure

Highlights the ultimate failure as the final result.

come to an unfortunate close

Draws attention to the regrettable nature of the ending.

end with a whimper

Implies a weak and anticlimactic ending.

result in a setback

Focuses on the regression caused by the ending.

fizzle out

Indicates a gradual decline to an unsuccessful end.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something ended "on a low note"?

When something ends "on a low note", it means it concluded in a disappointing or unsuccessful manner. The ending was worse than expected or desired.

How can I use "on a low note" in a sentence?

You can say, "The project ended "finished unsuccessfully"", indicating the project's conclusion was not positive. Or, "The team's performance ended "closed on a sour note" after the unexpected loss".

What are some alternatives to "on a low note"?

Alternatives include "end in disappointment", "conclude poorly", or "come to an unfortunate close" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "on a low note" in formal writing?

Yes, "on a low note" is suitable for various contexts, including formal writing, though it's always wise to consider your audience. More formal synonyms might include "culminate in failure", depending on the context.