squander a chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"squander a chance" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to wasting an opportunity or failing to take advantage of a favorable situation. Example: "He squandered a chance to impress his boss during the meeting." Alternative expressions include "miss an opportunity" and "waste a chance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The Raiders refused to squander a chance to correct that.

The New York Times - Sports

Piazza was not the only Met to squander a chance to drive in runs tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

On the other hand, his government may not want to squander a chance at negotiating peace with Pakistan's elected civilian government.

The New York Times

The sloppiness was manifested on the base paths, where Lucas Duda appeared to squander a chance for a run when he failed to score from first on Davis's long double to right field.

The New York Times - Sports

Were she simply to bust these online doofuses, she would squander a chance to convey something of lasting importance and leave them feeling that she had betrayed their trust.

The New York Times - Magazine

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Republican leaders, activists and donors, anxious that the party's initial presidential field could squander a chance to capture grass-roots energy and build a strong case against President Obama at the outset of the 2012 race, are stepping up appeals for additional candidates to jump in, starting with Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Each team squandered a chance to take the lead early.

The New York Times

The Mets fell, anyway, 6-5, squandering a chance for a series sweep.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Abbas squandered a chance at a peace deal in 2008.

The New York Times

Peter Crouch squandered a chance from five yards after one Bale cross.

The New York Times - Sports

Against the Suns and the Lakers, the Nets squandered a chance to reach a milestone.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "squander a chance" when you want to emphasize the negative consequences of not taking advantage of an opportunity, especially when resources or efforts were already invested.

Common error

Avoid using "squander a chance" interchangeably with phrases like "miss an opportunity" if you want to emphasize the aspect of wastefulness or mismanagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "squander a chance" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause. It describes the action of wasting or failing to capitalize on an opportunity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "squander a chance" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered expression used to denote the act of wasting or missing an opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. Primarily found in news and media, the phrase emphasizes the negative consequences of not capitalizing on a given opportunity. While synonyms like "miss a chance" exist, "squander a chance" specifically highlights the mismanagement or wastefulness of the lost opportunity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose a chance

Direct synonym, focusing on the simple loss of opportunity.

miss a chance

Similar to "lose a chance", emphasizing the failure to seize an opportunity.

waste a chance

Emphasizes the mismanagement or poor use of an opportunity.

throw away a chance

Implies a more careless or deliberate discarding of an opportunity.

forgo an opportunity

More formal, suggesting a conscious decision to decline an opportunity.

pass up an opportunity

Indicates a conscious decision not to take advantage of a chance.

let an opportunity slip

Suggests a passive loss of an opportunity, often due to inaction.

fail to capitalize on an opportunity

Focuses on the inability to benefit from a chance.

neglect a chance

Highlights the lack of attention or care given to an available opportunity.

drop the ball

An idiom suggesting a failure to follow through on an opportunity or task.

FAQs

How can I use "squander a chance" in a sentence?

You can use "squander a chance" to describe a situation where someone fails to take advantage of an opportunity, especially when it leads to negative consequences. For instance, "The team squandered a chance to win the championship."

What's a good alternative to "squander a chance"?

Alternatives include "miss a chance", "waste a chance", or "lose a chance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "squander a chance"?

To "squander a chance" means to waste an opportunity carelessly or fail to take advantage of it, often resulting in a loss or negative outcome.

Is "squander a chance" formal or informal?

"Squander a chance" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it tends to appear more frequently in news and media than in casual conversation. Other options like "drop the ball" would be a more informal way of expressing the same idea.