suffered an eclipse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffered an eclipse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to describe a situation where something has been overshadowed or diminished in importance or visibility. Example: "The once-popular artist suffered an eclipse in her career after the scandal, as her work was largely forgotten."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In central Tibet, Buddhism suffered an eclipse.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Assyrian state suffered an eclipse in the 11th century bc, when the Aramaeans and related tribes occupied most of its territory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

After his death, Haydn's reputation suffered a long eclipse, and it was not until after World War II that his merit was again recognized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He also represented the Umayyad clan, which had suffered a partial eclipse during the Prophet's lifetime but was now reasserting its influence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The family suffered a political eclipse for the next 125 years, until a great-grandnephew of Alvise I became doge as Alvise II from 1700 to 1709, followed a few years later by Alvise III Sebastiano, doge from 1723 to 1732.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sun Microsystems suffered a partial eclipse, falling 10% to a new 52-week low.

Forbes

It suffered a momentary eclipse during the nineteenth century but re-emerged in the late 1950's in Anglo-American philosophy.

SEP

While it is true that Peripatetic philosophy suffered a temporary eclipse in Persia, the reason lies in the socio-political realities of the Saljūq dynasty and the Islamic world's struggle with external forces like the Crusades.

SEP

In the intellectual prisons built during the cold war, Mukerjee, José Mariátegui, and indeed anyone advocating a less exploitative and instrumental view of nature and an ecologically and politically sustainable way of national development, suffered a rapid eclipse in their reputations.

Huffington Post

The 83-year-old pontiff admitted that while there were many areas of the world that were still ripe for missionaries, Europe and North America have suffered from an "eclipse of a sense of God" and needed to be re-evangelised.

Independent

In 1516 Homs was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire and consequently suffered a greater political eclipse, but it continued to thrive as an economic center, processing the agricultural and pastoral products that flowed to it from surrounding districts.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suffered an eclipse" to describe situations where something has lost its former prominence or importance, particularly when other factors have contributed to its decline. It's more impactful than simply saying something declined.

Common error

Avoid using "suffered an eclipse" in literal contexts. This phrase is primarily metaphorical and should not be used when describing physical eclipses or events directly related to astronomy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffered an eclipse" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that a subject has experienced a decline or loss of prominence. Ludwig AI validates that it's grammatically correct and usable. The examples show it describing Buddhism in Tibet and the Assyrian state.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suffered an eclipse" is used to express a decline or loss of prominence, influence, or importance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically sound and best suited for contexts where something has been overshadowed. While it may fit into some informal conversations, is mostly found in encyclopedias, news and science texts. When writing, consider alternatives like "experienced a decline" or "fell into obscurity" to refine your intended meaning. Remember to avoid using it in literal astronomical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost prominence

Directly indicates a reduction in importance or fame.

experienced a decline

Focuses on the general downturn or reduction in status.

went into decline

Similar to "experienced a decline", but implies a more gradual process.

was overshadowed

Suggests that something else became more prominent, diminishing the original subject's importance.

faced a setback

Emphasizes an obstacle or event that caused a temporary halt or reversal of progress.

endured a decline in influence

Highlights the reduction in persuasive power or authority.

underwent a period of decline

Highlights a specific time frame during which the subject's status decreased.

fell into obscurity

Highlights the loss of visibility or recognition.

was diminished

Emphasizes the reduction in size, importance, or quality.

witnessed a downturn

Focuses on the negative trend or economic decline.

FAQs

What does it mean when something has "suffered an eclipse"?

It means that something has lost its importance, power, or visibility, often being overshadowed by something else. It's a figurative way of saying something has declined in prominence.

Can I use "suffered an eclipse" to describe a literal eclipse?

While grammatically correct, it's best to reserve "suffered an eclipse" for metaphorical situations where something has declined in importance. For literal eclipses, use descriptive language related to astronomy.

What are some alternatives to "suffered an eclipse"?

You can use alternatives like "experienced a decline", "fell into obscurity", or "was overshadowed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "suffered an eclipse" a formal or informal expression?

"Suffered an eclipse" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in written language and slightly elevated speech. It's appropriate for news articles, essays, and business reports.