poor sport

USAGE SUMMARY

"poor sport" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is behaving in a bad-mannered and unsportmanlike way in a game or any other kind of competition. For example: "He threw his racket in a fit of anger when he lost the match, what a poor sport!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

It's not being a poor sport or anything like that.

The New York Times - Sports

He's a poor sport at Pee Wee baseball, and his drug of choice is licorice.

The New York Times - Books

"Dancer's Image" is worth reading, alone, for Fuller's moving testimony before the racing commission hearing: "I do not feel in any way that I am a poor sport.

The New York Times

Thoughts on The National: Too thin, rehashed SNP press releases, v.good intnl coverage, poor sport coverage (no football results or tables).

The Guardian

"It was something to do I guess," Keffler has said, "go out and rassle an octopus". But really, he admitted years later, it was pretty poor sport.

The Guardian - Sport

If McEnroe can be said to have made one gift to the culture, it is this: He made it cool to be a poor sport.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Those who deplore "The Gates" as ugly aren't wrong, just poor sports.

The New Yorker

To the boors and the sledgers and the poor sports in our team, all was forgiven.

The Guardian - Sport

Her critics talk as if Hardy was treated leniently for cheating — though not on the record, because they do not want to be labeled poor sports.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a carry-over from December 1984, when the American team lost the Davis Cup final in Sweden and McEnroe and Jimmy Connors were cited for being poor sports.

The New York Times - Sports

For Madison Avenue, the face of Team U.S.A. that has emerged from these Games is an unattractive sell of bad manners and poor sports.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as a "poor sport", be specific about the actions or behaviors that led you to that conclusion. Provide examples to support your assessment and avoid making generalizations.

Common error

Don't label someone a "poor sport" simply because they are not highly competitive. Being a "poor sport" refers to behavior after a win or loss, not the level of desire to win.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor sport" functions as a noun phrase, where "poor" modifies the noun "sport". It identifies a person who exhibits undesirable behaviors related to competition and sportsmanship. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poor sport" is used to describe someone who demonstrates bad behavior during or after a game, competition, or even in response to a joke. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's grammatically sound and frequently appears in contexts like news, media, and online articles. Alternatives include "bad loser" or "ungracious winner" to provide more specific descriptions. When using this phrase, focus on the observable behaviors to justify your characterization and avoid oversimplifying the reason why this behavior is considered poor or a "poor sport". Overall, "poor sport" is a common and useful phrase, but it is important to use it thoughtfully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad sport

A more general term for someone who doesn't behave well in a competitive situation.

not a good sport

A simple and direct way to express the same idea.

bad loser

Focuses specifically on someone who reacts negatively to losing.

sore loser

Similar to "bad loser", emphasizing the bitterness or resentment after a defeat.

ungracious winner

Highlights the negative behavior of someone when they win.

unsportsmanlike

A formal adjective describing behavior that violates the principles of sportsmanship.

can't take a joke

Refers to someone who is easily offended or unable to laugh at themselves.

not a team player

Emphasizes the inability to collaborate or cooperate effectively.

graceless

Highlights a lack of elegance and poise in handling a situation.

petulant

Indicates childishly sulky or bad-tempered behavior.

FAQs

How can I describe a person who doesn't handle defeat well?

You can call them a "sore loser", a "bad loser", or say they are a "poor sport". All these terms suggest someone who reacts negatively to losing.

What's the difference between "bad sport" and "poor sport"?

"Bad sport" and "poor sport" are often used interchangeably to describe someone who doesn't behave well in competitive situations. There's no significant difference in meaning.

Is it always negative to be called a "poor sport"?

Yes, being called a "poor sport" is always negative. It implies that someone is behaving in an unacceptable or unsportsmanlike manner, whether winning or losing.

What are some examples of "poor sport" behavior?

Examples include blaming others for your loss, gloating excessively after winning, refusing to congratulate your opponent, or displaying anger and frustration in an inappropriate way.