opportunity squandered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opportunity squandered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a chance or possibility was wasted or not taken advantage of. Example: "Looking back, I realize that the chance to invest in that startup was an opportunity squandered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

So yes, opportunity squandered.

The Economist

Another opportunity squandered.

The New York Times - Sports

It was an opportunity squandered.

The New York Times - Sports

This was an opportunity squandered.

The Guardian - Sport

It is an opportunity squandered for now, in the view of Ms. Pullace, the bookstore owner.

The New York Times

That, too, is the history of abolition; "Lincoln" is an opportunity squandered.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Indeed, there is a palpable sense of opportunities squandered.

The New York Times

Is it that some pundits focus on future potential while others see present-day opportunities squandered?

The New York Times

The story that Lee tells is one of privilege abused, opportunities squandered, energies misspent, resources misallocated.

The New Yorker

Regret and remorse crowd in as well: time misused, love not given amply enough, opportunities squandered, acts of good will stalled or aborted.

The New York Times

When I look at the administration now in Washington, I am dismayed by the opportunities squandered, saddened by what might have been, but never was.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "opportunity squandered", ensure the context clearly indicates what the specific opportunity was and why its loss is significant. This adds depth and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "opportunity squandered" as a generic phrase. Always specify which opportunity was lost and what the consequences are to maintain clarity and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opportunity squandered" functions as a noun phrase where "opportunity" is the noun and "squandered" acts as an adjective, modifying the noun to indicate that the opportunity has been wasted. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "opportunity squandered" is a commonly used expression to denote a missed or wasted chance. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media contexts, often carrying a tone of regret or criticism. When using the phrase, it’s crucial to clearly specify the opportunity and its potential consequences for maximum impact. While broadly acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "missed opportunity" in professional settings. Overall, "opportunity squandered" is a versatile phrase for conveying disappointment over lost potential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wasted opportunity

Substitutes "squandered" with "wasted", emphasizing the lack of beneficial outcome.

opportunity lost

A more concise and direct way of saying an opportunity was not utilized.

missed chance

Replaces the more descriptive "squandered" with a simpler term indicating the chance was not taken.

failed to capitalize

Emphasizes the act of not leveraging an opportunity for gain.

lost advantage

Focuses on the loss of a potential benefit rather than the squandering of an opportunity.

let a good chance pass

Describes the act of allowing an opportunity to go by without taking action.

frittered away

Emphasizes a gradual and careless wasting of an opportunity.

botched chance

Highlights the failure to capitalize on an opportunity due to incompetence or error.

fluffed opportunity

Indicates a clumsy or careless failure to take advantage of a chance.

chance gone awry

Focuses on how a chance has gone wrong and failed to produce the desired outcome.

FAQs

What does "opportunity squandered" mean?

The phrase "opportunity squandered" means that a chance or possibility was wasted or not taken advantage of.

What can I say instead of "opportunity squandered"?

You can use alternatives like "missed chance", "wasted opportunity", or "opportunity lost" depending on the context.

How to use "opportunity squandered" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company's failure to invest in renewable energy was an "opportunity squandered"", indicating they missed a chance to benefit from the growing green market.

Is "opportunity squandered" a formal expression?

While appropriate for news and general writing, in highly formal or business contexts, consider using alternatives like "missed opportunity" or "failure to capitalize" for a more professional tone.