streak of misfortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "streak of misfortune" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a series of unfortunate events or bad luck experienced over a period of time. Example: "After a long streak of misfortune, she finally received some good news about her job application."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

What the Yankees have had is a streak of misfortune, mishaps and missteps.

The New York Times - Sports

Eddy Curry's streak of misfortune and misery continued when doctors discovered a torn calf muscle that will sideline him for three to five days.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The ring was bought to counter a run of misfortune.

The New York Times - Style

Blue Apron's shares are down another 10percenttodayay, continuing a streak of mistrust and misfortune on the public markets since making its debut.

TechCrunch

There is some fortune in Haiti's history of misfortune.

The New York Times

Mentions de Vicenzo's sportsmanship in his hour of misfortune.

The New Yorker

This is Beslan.The usual clichés of misfortune are too feeble.

The Economist

It's been a litany of misfortune and near misses.

The Guardian - Sport

Then her life unraveled in a string of misfortune.

The New York Times - Arts

You can point to the small pieces of misfortune.

The Guardian - Sport

Most television gossips are perky messengers of misfortune.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "streak of misfortune", ensure the context clearly indicates a series of related negative events occurring over a limited period. Avoid using it for isolated incidents.

Common error

Avoid using "streak of misfortune" in everyday conversation about minor inconveniences. It's best reserved for situations involving genuine hardship or significant setbacks to maintain appropriate tone and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "streak of misfortune" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. According to Ludwig, it describes a period characterized by a series of unfortunate or adverse events. Examples show it being used to describe everything from sports teams' losing periods to personal financial woes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "streak of misfortune" effectively describes a series of unfortunate events. While considered grammatically correct and usable, Ludwig AI marks it as relatively rare. The phrase finds common use in news and media contexts, denoting periods of bad luck or adversity. For those seeking alternative expressions, "run of bad luck" or "series of unfortunate events" offer similar meanings while potentially fitting different tones or levels of formality. When employing this phrase, it is vital to ensure the context appropriately warrants its use, reserving it for situations involving substantial hardship rather than trivial inconveniences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

run of bad luck

Replaces "streak" with "run" and "misfortune" with "bad luck", offering a more common and informal alternative.

series of unfortunate events

Substitutes "streak" with "series" and uses the more descriptive "unfortunate events" for "misfortune", providing a slightly more elaborate expression.

chapter of mishaps

Employs "chapter" as a metaphor for a period of time and replaces "misfortune" with "mishaps", suggesting minor unfortunate incidents.

succession of calamities

Uses more dramatic terms like "succession" and "calamities" to convey a greater sense of severity and disaster.

litany of woes

Replaces "streak" with "litany," implying a long and mournful enumeration of misfortunes, and "misfortune" with "woes," suggesting deep sorrow or distress.

parade of problems

Employs "parade" as a metaphor for a continuous display of problems, giving a slightly less formal and more vivid image.

wave of adversity

Uses "wave" to suggest a surge or overwhelming influx of negative circumstances, replacing "misfortune" with the more general "adversity".

spell of hardship

Replaces "streak" with "spell," indicating a temporary period, and "misfortune" with "hardship," focusing on the difficult conditions experienced.

bout of trouble

Substitutes "streak" with "bout," suggesting a short period of trouble, and replaces "misfortune" with the more general "trouble".

patch of difficulty

Uses "patch" to represent a limited and localized area of difficulty, offering a less intense portrayal of misfortune.

FAQs

What does "streak of misfortune" mean?

A "streak of misfortune" refers to a series of unfortunate events or a period of bad luck happening one after another.

What is a good alternative to "streak of misfortune"?

Alternatives include "run of bad luck", "series of unfortunate events", or "litany of woes", depending on the desired tone and intensity.

How can I use "streak of misfortune" in a sentence?

You might say, "After a long streak of misfortune, she finally received some good news", or "The company endured a streak of misfortune due to unforeseen economic circumstances".

Is "streak of misfortune" a formal or informal expression?

While understandable in most contexts, "streak of misfortune" leans toward a neutral to slightly formal tone. For more informal situations, consider "run of bad luck".