perform badly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perform badly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is not executing a task or function effectively. Example: "The team seemed to perform badly during the last match, resulting in a disappointing loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Solutions that provide high performance security and privacy with static nodes may perform badly when the nodes are mobile.

Ad Hoc Networks

Do the players perform badly?

Encyclopedia Britannica

If you perform badly you get criticised.

Independent

When they perform badly, the opposite.

The Guardian - Sport

Voters look less tolerantly on rulers who perform badly.

The Economist

That is mainly because the new merged companies perform badly.

The Economist

The June 2014 election saw Islamist candidates perform badly.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, Mr Okada did not just perform badly before giving up his post.

The Economist

You have to win every game and you cannot perform badly because you want to win.

Independent

"Banjo the Biltong Man", or Mahomed Cassim, was allegedly out to bribe players to perform badly.

The Economist

Undoubtedly some teachers — city studies suggest 18 percent, not the mayor's 50 percent — perform badly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing performance issues, be specific about the area where the performance is lacking. Instead of simply saying "the team performed badly", specify "the team performed badly in the second half of the game".

Common error

Be cautious of using "perform badly" without providing context. Avoid statements like "the product performed badly" without specifying key performance indicators or metrics that define 'bad' performance. Providing specific data or comparisons enhances clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perform badly" functions as a verb phrase indicating a substandard level of execution or operation. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable. It is commonly employed to express that someone or something is not meeting expectations in terms of performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "perform badly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe substandard performance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's readily applicable across a wide range of contexts, primarily in news and scientific reporting. While it maintains a neutral tone, aiming for clarity by specifying the area of deficient performance will strengthen your writing. Alternatives include "underperform" or "do poorly" depending on the desired level of formality. By avoiding overgeneralization and specifying metrics, the phrase becomes more effective and informative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underperform

Implies a failure to meet expected levels of performance; often used in professional contexts.

do poorly

A more general term for not performing well; can be used in various contexts.

fare poorly

Indicates an unfavorable outcome or result.

fall short

Suggests a failure to reach a required standard or target.

not measure up

Implies a failure to meet expectations or standards.

fail to deliver

Indicates a failure to produce the expected results.

flounder

Suggests struggling and making little progress.

make a mess of

Implies handling something very badly, leading to failure.

drop the ball

An idiomatic expression for making a mistake or failing to fulfill a responsibility.

come a cropper

An idiomatic phrase meaning to fail badly or have an accident.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "performs badly"?

When something "performs badly", it means it's not functioning or operating as expected or desired. This could refer to people, objects, systems, or even financial assets. The context usually determines the specific meaning.

How can I use "perform badly" in a sentence?

You can use "perform badly" to describe a range of situations. For example, "The stock market "performed badly" this quarter" or "The new software "performed badly" during testing."

What are some alternatives to saying "perform badly"?

Some alternatives to "perform badly" include "underperform", "do poorly", "fare poorly", or "fall short". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "perform poorly" or "perform badly"?

Both "perform poorly" and "perform badly" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. However, "perform poorly" might sound slightly more formal in some contexts, while "perform badly" is more direct. Choose the one that best fits the tone and style of your writing.