one man down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one man down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as military, sports, or any situation where a person is incapacitated or removed from a group. Example: "During the mission, we encountered heavy resistance, and unfortunately, we had one man down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

On Sunday, as he marched off to deliver a half-time team-talk with his side one goal and one man down, he rounded on another assistant manager, this time the more formidable figure of Tottenham's Joe Jordan, for putting pressure on the referee, Howard Webb, to dismiss Andre Ooijer for persistently fouling Aaron Lennon.

The Guardian - Sport

Even with one man down, Kill Them With Colour's music remains on the rise.

Vice

"At set-plays you are one man down and they are throwing everyone forward," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

"Strangely enough, it wasn't until we were one man down did we start to play well," Germany's coach, Rudi Völler, said.

The New York Times - Sports

By reversing the course of the match after going two goals and one man down, Claudio Ranieri's side showed what made them champions.

The Guardian - Sport

Before we have a chance to get our bearings, the movie—Haneke's "Time of the Wolf"—is one man down, and what ensues is a free fall into primitivism, not the catharsis of revenge.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

On Wednesday evening, a couple of customers quietly browsed the lamp-lit shelves; one man took down a book, sat down in a chair to leaf through it for a while, then got a saleswoman to put it back for him and left.

The New Yorker

It was time for afternoon prayer, and one man knelt down on the bridge's pedestrian walkway.

The New Yorker

Then around 1 40 a.m., he said, the officers started to get rougher, throwing one young man down hard on a pool table.

The New York Times

Yet one man staring down to the field on Jan . 7 , 2007saw something different that few others could even imagine.

The New York Times - Sports

How can one man bring down a helicopter?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one man down" to describe a temporary or permanent absence of an essential member within a team, group, or organization, particularly in situations where their absence affects performance or operation.

Common error

Avoid using "one man down" when simply describing someone's absence from a casual social gathering. It's best reserved for situations where the absence has a functional impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one man down" functions primarily as a descriptive term, indicating that a team, group, or unit is operating with a reduced number of members. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, commonly found in sports or military situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "one man down" is a common and generally correct idiom used to describe a team, group, or organization operating with a reduced number of members, often due to injury, ejection, or other circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms this. While most common in sports and military contexts, as evidenced by the examples, it's important to consider the formality of the setting and choose more precise language for professional environments. Related phrases include "a person short" or "member absent". It's crucial to avoid overusing the phrase in situations where the absence doesn't have a functional impact. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for news and general conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a person short

Focuses on the absence of a single person needed for a task or group.

one member absent

Highlights the absence of a member from a group, team, or organization.

one participant out

Indicates the removal or unavailability of a participant in an activity.

reduced by one person

General expression for a group or team that has lost a member.

a player ejected

Specifically refers to a player being removed from a game or competition.

a soldier lost

Emphasizes the loss of a soldier in a military operation or conflict.

down a teammate

Focuses on the absence of a team member, usually due to injury or disqualification.

lacking one individual

Describes a situation where a person is missing from the group.

understaffed by one

Highlights a situation where there are not enough personnel, specifically one person is missing.

one position unfilled

Indicates a vacancy or the absence of someone to fill a role.

FAQs

How can I use "one man down" in a sentence?

You can use "one man down" to describe a situation where a team or group is missing a member, often due to injury, ejection, or other circumstances. For example, "The team struggled after they were "one man down" due to a red card."

What does "one man down" mean in sports?

In sports, "one man down" typically means that a team has a player removed from the game, usually due to a penalty or ejection. This puts the team at a disadvantage. For example, "Playing "one man down", they had to adjust their strategy."

What are some alternative ways to say "one man down"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a "person short"", "member absent", or "understaffed by one" to express a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific situation.

Is it appropriate to use "one man down" in a formal setting?

While "one man down" is widely understood, it might be too informal for certain professional or academic contexts. Consider using more neutral phrases like "one member absent" or "a person short" in formal settings.