significant upset

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant upset" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a notable or considerable disturbance or change in a situation, often in contexts like sports, politics, or personal circumstances. Example: "The team's unexpected loss in the championship game was a significant upset that shocked fans and analysts alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The American teenager Ashley Harkleroad made a run at a more significant upset.

The New York Times - Sports

They should — but don't sleep on Kansas State notching what would be a fairly significant upset.

The New York Times

The man complained that the Record's report named him and, in so doing, caused him significant upset.

The Guardian

In a significant upset in Maryland, Republican businessman Larry Hogan beat the state's Democratic lieutenant governor, Anthony Brown.

The Guardian

The vote was a significant upset for legislators of the conservative National Action Party of President Vicente Fox Quesada.

The New York Times

"For investors, this is a fairly significant upset," said Mark Wolfenberger, an analyst at Credit Suisse First Boston.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

On Saturday, there were some significant upsets in the women's tournament.

Forbes

The results are in, and one of the most significant upsets has taken place as Jones has won in a state which, as mentioned earlier, is deeply red.

Huffington Post

For instance, if actors Matthew McConaughey, Cate Blanchett, Jared Leto and Lupita Nyong'o fail to take home Oscars, their losses will be viewed as significant upsets.

Huffington Post

Move to freeze employees' pay, slash retirement benefits, sap their labor organizations and in significant ways upset their workplace's mission, then mix those ingredients with nonstop revelations about an amoral boss, and you have a disastrous recipe for employee morale.

The Washington Post

These criteria include the lack of any significant systemic upset or comorbidity, and the use of daily monitoring (Moores, 2007).

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience's perspective when using "significant upset". Ensure they have the necessary background to understand why the event is considered an upset. If not, provide context.

Common error

While "significant upset" is appropriate for news reports or formal analyses, be mindful of its formality. In casual conversation or informal writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "big surprise" or "unexpected change" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant upset" functions primarily as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it describes an event or situation that is both unexpected and carries substantial importance or impact, often appearing in news and sports contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant upset" is a noun phrase frequently employed to describe unexpected events with considerable impact. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and finds its primary use in news and sports contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When aiming for semantic variety, alternatives such as "major surprise" or "unexpected defeat" can be considered. A key writing tip involves being mindful of the context and audience, ensuring the level of formality aligns with the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unforeseen upset

Very close in meaning, stressing the unforeseen nature.

remarkable upset

Highlights the extraordinary nature of the disturbance.

major surprise

Emphasizes the element of surprise more strongly than "significant upset".

surprise victory

Highlights the winning aspect that was not anticipated.

shocking result

Highlights the shocking nature of the outcome.

unexpected win

Similar to surprise victory, but focuses less on magnitude.

unexpected defeat

Focuses specifically on the losing aspect that was not anticipated.

improbable triumph

Stresses the unlikelihood of the victory.

startling reversal

Indicates a complete change in the expected outcome.

major turnaround

Emphasizes the change of momentum or direction.

FAQs

How can I use "significant upset" in a sentence?

You can use "significant upset" to describe unexpected results or disturbances. For instance, "The election result was a "significant upset" to the ruling party."

What's the difference between "significant upset" and "minor upset"?

"Significant upset" implies a major unexpected change with considerable impact, while "minor upset" suggests a smaller, less impactful surprise. A "significant upset" might change the course of events, but a minor one may only cause a temporary disruption.

What can I say instead of "significant upset"?

You can use alternatives like "major surprise", "unexpected defeat", or "shocking result" depending on the specific context you're describing.

Is "significant upset" always negative?

While often used in contexts involving losses or disruptions, a "significant upset" can also refer to a positive surprise, such as an underdog team achieving an ""significant upset"" by winning a championship.