three defeats in a row

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "three defeats in a row" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a team or individual has lost three consecutive matches or competitions. Example: "The team is struggling this season, having suffered three defeats in a row, which has affected their morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Because of the three defeats in a row".

The Guardian - Sport

But if it becomes three defeats in a row, people will ask serious questions.

The Guardian - Sport

The problem, of course, is that Jones then took England on a run of three defeats in a row.

The Times

It's three defeats in a row now, narrowly to lil' ol' Hong Kong then utter spankings by the West Indies and India.

The Guardian - Sport

Three defeats in a row have cost them a Champions League semi-final for the first time in seven years, the Copa del Rey and probably a league title challenge too.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite a disqualification defeat to Montell Griffin in 1997, Jones Jr dominated at both super-middleweight and then light-heavyweight through the late 1990s until his fading star burnt out with three defeats in a row in 2004-05 – too to Antonio Carver and one to Glen Johnson.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Six defeats in a row for Eibar.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is two defeats in a row.

Independent

"It is two defeats in a row," Villas-Boas said.

The Guardian - Sport

Five defeats in a row, seven points from 10 games, 17th spot.

The Guardian - Sport

Parties learn from defeat, not from victory — especially two defeats in a row.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a team's or individual's performance, use "three defeats in a row" to clearly indicate a consecutive series of losses. This phrase is easily understood and widely accepted in sports reporting and general news contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "three defeats in a row" when referring to events that are not directly related or do not occur consecutively. Ensure the losses are part of a continuous sequence, otherwise, the phrase loses its accuracy and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "three defeats in a row" functions as a descriptive element, typically used to highlight a negative trend or performance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and readily usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "three defeats in a row" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe a sequence of three consecutive losses. Primarily used in news and media, especially in sports contexts, it serves to highlight a negative trend. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. For variety, alternatives such as "three consecutive losses" or "a losing streak of three games" can be used. When employing this phrase, ensure the defeats are indeed consecutive to maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three consecutive losses

Replaces "defeats in a row" with the synonym "consecutive losses".

three straight losses

Uses "straight" instead of "consecutive" to describe the losses.

three back-to-back defeats

Emphasizes the immediate succession of the defeats.

three successive defeats

Uses "successive" which is a more formal synonym for "consecutive".

three defeats in succession

Similar to "three successive defeats", but reordered.

a losing streak of three games

Rephrases the sentence structure to emphasize the streak.

suffering three consecutive defeats

Highlights the act of suffering the defeats.

experiencing three straight losses

Focuses on the experience of the losses.

a trio of losses

Uses "trio" to represent the three losses.

three losses on the trot

Uses the informal idiom "on the trot" to mean in a row.

FAQs

What does "three defeats in a row" mean?

The phrase "three defeats in a row" means that someone or a team has lost three consecutive games or matches.

What can I say instead of "three defeats in a row"?

You can use alternatives like "three consecutive losses", "three straight losses", or "a losing streak of three games" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "three defeats in a row"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in sports-related contexts.

How can the phrase "three defeats in a row" be used in a sentence?

Example: "After "three defeats in a row", the team's morale was at an all-time low."