pad the score

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pad the score" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to sports or assessments, meaning to increase a score or result artificially, often to make it look better than it actually is. Example: "The team managed to pad the score in the final minutes of the game, securing a more impressive victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Alas, the pass was intercepted, ending their bid to pad the score.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It bounced over Quick's pad, tying the score at 1-1.

The New York Times - Sports

Everyone else is a rental, and some are playing that way: forcing ill-advised shots, padding the box score and playing for their next contract.

The New York Times - Sports

The PAD screening score using the hand-held Doppler has the greatest diagnostic accuracy.

Duke University

There was Patrick Roy, the great Colorado goalie, gesturing in anger after Bob Corkum of the Devils beat him between the pads to tie the score at 1-1 late in the first period.

The New York Times - Sports

In a rare demonstration of power skating and offensive imagination, Sandstrom raced up the right wing, swept dramatically around Zalapski, then rather more prosaically dumped the puck through Tom Barrasso's pads to make the score 3-1.

The New York Times - Sports

Rob Key was given lbw having been hit on the back pad for eight with the score on 40.

The Guardian - Sport

Shamsi is so polite that when ever she does the scoring her opponent always wins; when the score pad changes hands, however, Mme.

The New Yorker

"You're a schizo," he once told me, proud of his fancy insult, and shaking his head sadly at the score pad, which had page after page of columns marked "J1" and "J2".

The New Yorker

The first I usually put down on the score pad is the bass line.

Los Angeles Times

The great detective had to analyze the score pads to identify the murderer.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pad the score" when you want to emphasize that an action was taken to increase an existing lead, especially in sports. It is particularly useful to show it was not necessary, but it was done to ensure victory.

Common error

Avoid using "pad the score" in situations that don't involve a quantifiable score or competitive scenario. The phrase is specific to contexts where there is a numerical advantage to be increased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pad the score" functions as a verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the action of increasing a lead, typically in a competitive context. The examples demonstrate its use in describing strategic plays aimed at widening the gap between competitors.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pad the score" is a verb phrase that means to increase a lead or advantage, usually in a competitive setting. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct. It is most commonly used in News & Media, particularly in sports reporting. While "pad the score" is not a very common phrase, several alternatives exist, such as "increase the lead" or "extend the advantage". When using the phrase, it's best to reserve it for situations involving quantifiable scores or competitive scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Increase the lead

Focuses on extending an existing advantage by increasing the difference between scores.

Extend the advantage

Similar to increasing the lead, but more generally applicable to any form of advantage, not just scores.

Widen the margin

Emphasizes increasing the gap between the current score and the opponent's.

Inflate the score

Suggests making the score seem larger than it should be, often through questionable means.

Boost the score

Emphasizes adding more points, often in a quick or impactful way.

Solidify the victory

Focuses on ensuring a win by adding more points or advantages.

Cement the win

Similar to solidifying the victory, but implies a more permanent or unassailable advantage.

Increase the points

Simply adding to the total score. It's a literal restatement.

Add to the tally

Refers to accumulating more points or units to the total.

Augment the total

Implies enhancing or supplementing the existing score or quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "pad the score" in a sentence?

You can use "pad the score" to describe an action taken to increase a lead in a competition, such as "The team managed to pad the score in the final minutes of the game."

What does "pad the score" mean?

"Pad the score" means to increase a lead or advantage, usually in a competitive setting, to ensure or enhance a victory.

What's a good alternative to "pad the score"?

Alternatives include "increase the lead", "extend the advantage", or "widen the margin" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to "pad the score"?

No, "padding the score" is often done when the outcome is already reasonably assured, and it's more about demonstrating dominance or securing a more significant victory margin.