startling fall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "startling fall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and surprising decrease or drop in something, such as prices, temperatures, or performance. Example: "The company experienced a startling fall in sales after the product recall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It was a startling fall.

The New York Times

For Mr. Cavallo, who last month was prohibited by judicial decree from leaving Argentina, the imprisonment order caps a startling fall from grace.

The New York Times

Like many people here, the mayor, Patrick McCrory, is flabbergasted by the startling fall of Bank of America and the city's other banking giant, the Wachovia Corporation.

The New York Times

Relegation is a startling fall for a club who have reached the Championship playoff final twice in the past decade but having lost 22 of 43 league games prior to kick-off, survival always seemed an unlikely outcome.

The Guardian - Sport

The money may be small beer for a man like Kwok – among the world's richest tycoons – but it has triggered a startling fall from grace for Hui, a former chief secretary of the local government and a bona fide member of the Hong Kong's great and good.

Independent

Rebel groups that had been armed by Turkey will now have to prove themselves worthy of entry into the safe zone – a startling fall from grace, underscored by the silence of the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in recent months, as the end drew near for Aleppo.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Hollywood A-lister Johnny Depp has delivered a startling fall-from-grace character portrait in the final act of the legal/biosecurity thriller nobody expected: one part intrepid dog movie and two parts international relations drama, like The International by way of Beverly Hills Chihuahua, with a dash of Midnight Express thrown in.

The Guardian - Film

What's fascinating about their startling falls from grace is that each one represented a clear case of self-destruction.

Huffington Post

Nationally, the new sports minister, Tracey Crouch, reacted to the recent drop in numbers of people participating in sport once a week, down to 35.5% of adults, including the startling 729,000 fall in people swimming over the past decade, by directing blame on to the quango Sport England and the sports governing bodies whose programmes it funds.

The Guardian - Sport

But the first four episodes this fall have been contrived and dull -- a startling tumble from the show's gripping, sophisticated heights.

The New York Times - Arts

And then one day, a startling declaration fell from my 13-year-old son's mouth... "Dad, we have this great life, how come we're not doing more to make a difference in the world?" My initial reaction was, "Who are you, and what have you done with my son?" Then, that thought morphed into a sense of pride.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "startling fall" to create a sense of surprise or shock regarding a sudden decrease or decline. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to emphasize the unexpected nature of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "startling fall" to describe minor or commonplace decreases. This phrase carries a strong sense of surprise and significance, so reserve it for situations where the drop is genuinely unexpected and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "startling fall" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "startling" modifies the noun "fall". It describes a sudden and unexpected decline in something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "startling fall" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression, primarily used to describe a sudden and unexpected decline. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, where it serves to emphasize the surprise and significance of a decrease or downturn. While other phrases like "sudden decline" or "unexpected drop" can be used as alternatives, "startling fall" carries a stronger sense of surprise. When using this phrase, ensure it is reserved for situations where the decline is genuinely unexpected and impactful to avoid overuse in mundane contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sudden decline

Focuses on the abruptness of the decrease.

unexpected drop

Highlights the element of surprise and lack of anticipation.

precipitous decline

Emphasizes the steepness and rapidity of the fall.

drastic downturn

Indicates a severe and negative shift in trend.

sharp decrease

Highlights the intensity of the reduction.

significant downturn

Focuses on the notable degree of the decline.

abrupt reversal

Stresses the sudden change in direction.

rapid descent

Conveys a sense of speed and downward movement.

sudden collapse

Emphasizes a complete and unexpected failure.

unforeseen degradation

Highlights the unexpected and deteriorating nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "startling fall" in a sentence?

You can use "startling fall" to describe a sudden and unexpected decline. For example: "The company experienced a startling fall in profits this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "startling fall"?

Some alternatives to "startling fall" include "sudden decline", "unexpected drop", or "precipitous decline" depending on the specific context.

Is "startling fall" formal or informal?

"Startling fall" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news reporting and analytical writing.

What does "startling fall from grace" mean?

"Startling fall from grace" refers to a sudden and unexpected loss of status, respect, or power, often following a period of success or high regard.