undermine his work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undermine his work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that weaken or damage someone's efforts or achievements. Example: "Her constant criticism seemed to undermine his work, making it difficult for him to feel confident in his abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Mr Vercoutre insists that he is the victim of "lies" concocted to undermine his work as a union leader.

Independent

Dr. Pons also accused Nature of trying to undermine his work by publishing negative studies while ignoring supporting evidence.

The New York Times

He called on the Serbian Ambassador not to undermine his work "when we are trying to assist people".

The Guardian

And he had to do all of this while staying enough out of the public eye so that the liabilities he carried would not undermine his work".

The Guardian

The same people, he said, "made sure these unfounded allegations go abroad" and tried to "morally undermine" his work at the International Olympic Committee, of which he has been a member since 1983.

The New York Times

Of course, it must have been "frustrating" for Jones to handle freedom of information requests from people "he knew – or perceived – were motivated by a desire simply to undermine his work".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But by 2001, a drinking problem was undermining his work.

The New York Times

His seeming inability to connect with people sometimes undermined his work.

The New York Times

For years he has been subjected to persistent abuse, in Britain and his native Australia, aimed at undermining his work.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Butler now says this undermined his work and gave the Iraqis the opening to become more defiant of all inspection systems.

The New York Times

Will the author's dousing the critic in Merlot be viewed as a grand gesture in the tradition of Mailer and Hemingway, or will it be, as the author's wife will suggest on the sidewalk after they have been ejected from the party, another symptom of the chronic small-mindedness that undermined his work in the first place?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undermine his work" to describe situations where subtle or indirect actions weaken someone's efforts. It's appropriate when the damage isn't immediately obvious or intentional.

Common error

Avoid using "undermine his work" when accusing someone of outright sabotage. This phrase implies a more subtle and less direct form of interference. For direct accusations, use stronger terms like "sabotage" or "deliberately obstruct".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermine his work" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "undermine" acts as a transitive verb, taking "his work" as its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is commonly used to describe actions that weaken or damage someone's efforts or achievements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undermine his work" is a versatile expression used to describe actions that weaken or damage someone's professional efforts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, reflecting its relevance in discussions of politics, business, and current events. When using this phrase, consider the subtle implications of gradual weakening versus more direct sabotage, and choose alternative phrases like "sabotage his efforts" or "weaken his efforts" to match the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sabotage his efforts

Focuses on intentional disruption or destruction of effort.

weaken his efforts

Emphasizes the reduction of strength or effectiveness of the actions.

erode his progress

Highlights the gradual wearing away of advancements.

diminish his contributions

Focuses on lessening the perceived value of what someone has provided.

impair his achievements

Stresses a damaging effect on accomplishments.

compromise his accomplishments

Highlights that the actions creates vulnerabilities on someone's success.

hinder his progress

Highlights the creation of difficulties and delays in the advancements.

invalidate his labor

Focuses on a legal or official context, suggesting a formal nullification.

discredit his performance

Focuses on damaging one's reputation and the believe of the performance.

negate his labor

Highlights a more absolute reversal compared to undermine.

FAQs

How can I use "undermine his work" in a sentence?

You can use "undermine his work" to describe actions that weaken or damage someone's efforts. For example: "Her constant criticism seemed to undermine his work, making it difficult for him to feel confident in his abilities."

What are some alternatives to "undermine his work"?

You can use alternatives like "sabotage his efforts", "weaken his efforts", or "erode his progress" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "undermine his work" or "sabotage his work"?

"Undermine his work" suggests a more subtle and gradual weakening of efforts, while "sabotage his work" implies a deliberate and destructive action. The best choice depends on the specific situation and the intent you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone says they are trying to "undermine his work"?

It means they are engaging in actions that weaken or damage the quality, effectiveness, or reputation of his work. This could involve spreading rumors, withholding resources, or offering unhelpful criticism.