taste of defeat

USAGE SUMMARY

'taste of defeat' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is generally used when referring to the experience or feeling of having lost something or having been defeated. For example: "The team was determined not to experience the taste of defeat again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Their unranked opponents gave them their first taste of defeat.

The New York Times

Third-placed Hoffenheim, too, are yet to taste the bitter taste of defeat in season.

The Guardian - Sport

You celebrate glory or spit out the bitter taste of defeat.

The Guardian - Sport

"This was a victory with some taste of defeat for Pinochet," said Hugo Gutierrez, a human rights lawyer.

The New York Times

While Prieto, 25, admits it is sometimes difficult to detach from the regular taste of defeat, he has urged people to remember where his team have come from.

Independent

LONDON — The trouble with Christmas for someone as obsessed with winning as José Mourinho is that the taste of defeat festers for too long.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The sun tasted of April,.

The New Yorker

I had won the first Paralympic medals of my career, two bronze medals early in the Games in the 400 meters and the 100 meters, and suffered my first cruel tastes of defeat, crashing in the 800 meters and losing a medal I should have won in the 200 meters.

The New York Times

The Portuguese's side remain four points clear of second-placed Southampton - and, perhaps more significantly, six points ahead of last season's champions Manchester City - but this is a result that will almost have the after-taste of defeat, even though Chelsea's unbeaten run continues.

BBC

"Once you get a taste of victory, defeat will taste especially bitter".

The New York Times - Sports

Washing away the taste of this defeat, though, had to wait another day.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taste of defeat" to describe the emotional impact of losing, especially when emphasizing the unpleasantness of the experience.

Common error

While "taste of defeat" is vivid, avoid using it excessively. Vary your language with synonyms like "bitter disappointment" or "agony of defeat" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taste of defeat" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb or as part of a prepositional phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

30%

Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taste of defeat" is a common and generally correct way to describe the feeling of disappointment and loss that accompanies failure. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is a correct and usable expression. Primarily found in News & Media and Sport contexts, it's used to emphasize the emotional impact of losing. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "sting of failure" or "agony of defeat" for variety. Remember that for more formal occasions, alternatives like "meet with defeat" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crushing defeat

Highlights the severity and overwhelming nature of the loss.

agony of defeat

Emphasizes the intense pain and suffering associated with losing.

sting of failure

Uses a metaphor to describe the sharp, unpleasant feeling of not succeeding.

experience of failure

Focuses on the broader experience rather than the specific emotional impact.

meet with defeat

A formal alternative to "taste of defeat".

bitter disappointment

Highlights the feeling of sadness and disillusionment.

humiliation of loss

Stresses the shame and embarrassment that can accompany defeat.

experience loss

A more general phrase that doesn't specify the emotional impact.

downfall

Indicates a significant decline or ruin as a result of defeat.

setback

Implies a temporary delay or obstacle rather than a complete loss.

FAQs

How can I use "taste of defeat" in a sentence?

You can use "taste of defeat" to describe the feeling of disappointment and loss after a failure. For example, "After the game, the team had to face the bitter taste of defeat".

What's a less common way to say "taste of defeat"?

Alternatives include phrases like "sting of failure", "humiliation of loss", or "experience loss", which provide nuanced descriptions of the experience.

Is "taste of defeat" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the context. For formal writing, "meet with defeat" or "experience of failure" might be more appropriate.

How does "agony of defeat" compare to "taste of defeat"?

"Agony of defeat" emphasizes the intense suffering associated with losing, while "taste of defeat" more broadly describes the unpleasant feeling of disappointment. The former is more dramatic and highlights the emotional pain involved.