two flameouts ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "two flameouts ago" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific point in time, indicating two occurrences of failure or malfunction in the past. Example: "The project has improved significantly since two flameouts ago, when we faced major setbacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That was two flameouts ago in Detroit.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"No big career doesn't have one flameout in it, and there's nobody more boring than the undefeated," she said at the time.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Fifteen — so, two years ago".

The New Yorker

This was two summers ago.

The New Yorker

About two months ago Pres.

The New Yorker

Photograph taken two nights ago.

Independent

I said this two years ago.

The New York Times

Two seasons ago, the motto was "Finish".

The New York Times - Sports

Shaved mine off two days ago".

BBC

Two seasons ago, with newcomers LeBron James and Chris Bosh?

Los Angeles Times

Two months ago?

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "two flameouts ago" when you want to refer to a specific point in time defined by two previous failures or significant setbacks. This phrase is particularly effective when the 'flameouts' are well-understood within the context.

Common error

Avoid using "two flameouts ago" if the 'flameouts' are not clearly defined or recognized by your audience. Ensure the context makes it obvious what events you are referring to; otherwise, choose a more explicit description of the timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two flameouts ago" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying a point in the past relative to two occurrences of a failure or setback. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English and the provided example shows it being used to mark progress since past setbacks.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "two flameouts ago" is a specific temporal marker indicating a time frame relative to two past failures. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase to provide context, particularly in news and media, where it's used to analyze progress since previous setbacks. While grammatically sound, its effectiveness depends on the audience's familiarity with the referenced "flameouts". Alternatives like "following two previous failures" or "subsequent to two significant setbacks" may offer greater clarity in more formal settings or when the specific failures aren't widely known.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Two failures prior

Replaces "flameouts" with a more general term for failure and "ago" with "prior".

Two collapses back

Substitutes "flameouts" with "collapses" to suggest a more dramatic failure and replaces "ago" with "back".

Two incidents before this one

Rephrases the time reference using "before this one", specifying the present incident as the reference point.

Following two breakdowns

Changes the sentence structure to focus on the period following two "breakdowns".

In the wake of two implosions

Uses stronger language like "implosions" to emphasize the severity of the failures and sets a dramatic tone.

Two debacles in the past

Replaces "flameouts" with "debacles" to highlight the disastrous nature of the failures.

Subsequent to two setbacks

Changes the structure to highlight the period after "two setbacks".

After experiencing two fiascos

Uses "fiascos" to denote complete failures and emphasizes the experience of enduring them.

Previous to a pair of meltdowns

Employs "meltdowns" to denote the chaotic nature of the failures.

Earlier than two downfalls

Uses "downfalls" to describe the event that led to two failures, emphasizing the time aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "two flameouts ago" in a sentence?

You can use "two flameouts ago" to specify a time frame relative to two past failures. For example, "The project has seen considerable improvement since "two flameouts ago", when we faced major technical challenges".

What's a more formal alternative to "two flameouts ago"?

While "two flameouts ago" can be descriptive, a more formal alternative might be "following two previous failures" or "subsequent to two significant setbacks" depending on the context.

Is "two flameouts ago" appropriate for all audiences?

The appropriateness of "two flameouts ago" depends on your audience. If they are familiar with the specific failures you're referencing, it can be effective. Otherwise, a clearer, more descriptive phrase may be better.

What does "flameout" mean in the context of "two flameouts ago"?

In this context, "flameout" refers to a sudden and often spectacular failure. Using "two flameouts ago" implies that there were two distinct and memorable failures prior to the current situation.