ordered to lose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordered to lose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is instructed or compelled to fail or not succeed in a task or competition. Example: "The coach was accused of ordering the team to lose the match to secure a better draft pick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And so on the morning of Sept. 11, the hospitals were effectively "ordered to lose money," said Kenneth E. Raske, president of the Greater New York Hospital Association.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I do a circle of the exhibits and double back in order to lose him.

The Guardian

"People were having to circumvent the system in order to lose weight at a healthy rate," she said.

The New York Times

"We are spending a fortune on military in order to lose $800bn [in trade losses]," Trump said.

The Guardian

In order to lose her anger, she has to lose her sense of self; to cauterize herself against disappointment, she kills her heart.

The New Yorker

Painted as 'the girl who had everything', Georgia was victim to an immensely powerful illness which encouraged her to go to extreme lengths in order to lose weight.

Independent

The election would not be over, but we might be at the point where Mr. Obama would have to make a substantial error in order to lose.

The New York Times

Laurel Cannon, the mother of guard Gerard Coleman, called Providence administrators and claimed that her son was asked by Driscoll to fake an injury in order to lose games.

The New York Times - Sports

Theoretically, he had calculated how many calories a person had to burn — or forego — in order to lose a pound of fat.

Independent

In order to lose 454 grams (one pound) of adipose tissue, an energy deficit of about 3,500 kilocalories (14.6 megajoules) is required.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To love less in order to lose less seems like no solution at all, but to see loss squarely sounds like wisdom.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ordered to lose", ensure the context clearly indicates who issued the order and the intended recipient or subject. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "ordered to lose" loosely when describing unintentional failures or accidental losses. This phrase implies a deliberate instruction or command, and misusing it can create confusion or misrepresent the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordered to lose" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the intentionality behind an action that leads to a loss or failure. Ludwig confirms that it describes situations where someone is instructed or compelled to fail.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ordered to lose" is used to express that someone has been instructed or compelled to intentionally fail or underperform. Ludwig AI identifies its correct usage in English, though its frequency is relatively uncommon. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, with neutral formality. When using "ordered to lose", ensure that the context explicitly conveys intentionality and avoid using it in situations involving accidental or unintentional failures. Related phrases, such as "instructed to throw the game" and "commanded to fail deliberately", offer alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instructed to throw the game

This alternative specifies a scenario within sports, where a game is intentionally lost.

commanded to fail deliberately

This implies a direct command leading to a specific, intentional failure.

directed to underperform intentionally

This focuses on the act of deliberately performing below one's capability.

given orders to tank

This is an informal term suggesting a deliberate effort to lose or perform poorly, often in sports or business.

manipulated to ensure defeat

Highlights the act of manipulating a situation to guarantee a loss.

told to take a dive

This implies a scenario where someone is told to feign defeat or weakness.

compelled to engineer a loss

This suggests a forced or pressured situation resulting in a skillfully created defeat.

forced to throw the match

Similar to instructed to throw the game, focuses on direct coercion in a competition.

pressured to relinquish victory

Indicates external pressure leading to the act of giving up a winning position.

tasked with ensuring defeat

This suggests that the person was given a responsibility to cause a loss.

FAQs

How is "ordered to lose" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "ordered to lose" usually implies that someone was given a direct instruction to intentionally fail or underperform. For example: "The coach was accused of "ordering the team to lose" the game."

What are some alternative phrases to "ordered to lose"?

Alternatives include "instructed to fail", "commanded to lose", or "directed to underperform". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "ordered to lose" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "ordered to lose" is relatively neutral in tone, suitable for both news reports and informal discussions about scenarios where deliberate failure is instructed. The register depends on the specific context in which it's used.

In what kind of situations one might say "ordered to lose"?

You might use "ordered to lose" when discussing sports (e.g. a rigged match), business (e.g. intentionally sabotaging a deal), or even political scenarios where someone is instructed to ensure a negative outcome.