utterly missed

USAGE SUMMARY

"utterly missed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you an emphasize the degree to which a person or thing has missed or been missed, especially in contrast to an expected result. For example: "John utterly missed the mark with his presentation, leaving the audience completely unimpressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And in this way, they have utterly missed the modern ethos of career adventurism.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it utterly missed the dismal state Iraq was in and the strength of the insurgency that Americans would face after the fall of Baghdad.

The New York Times

In "Tinker Creek," she wrote, "I walk out; I see some event that would otherwise be utterly missed and lost, or something sees me, some enormous power that brushes me with its clean wing, and I resound like a beaten bell".

The New York Times - Travel

He observes that scientific terminology can provide the means of apprehending something that we had utterly missed until we had a name for it (see Walls 2012, 108).

SEP

Or after any Reagan triumph: "It must be Reagan luck!" Thus, the Morris technique, odd though it may be, is a brilliant way to convey snob cynicism toward Reagan yet the author's neat literary trick is utterly missed by the critics.

Forbes

First, the Securities and Exchange Commission, which actually had personnel investigating Lehman at the time, and utterly missed what was going on right under the commission's nose, in a lapse comparable to the Madoff scandal.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He has already promised a post-series parade for both teams, which utterly misses the emotional essence of the parade.

The New York Times

"If we are worrying about bicycle helmets, rather than how to stop people from hitting cyclists with cars and trucks in the first place, then we are utterly missing the point," Dr. Walker says.

The New York Times

Although some dishes are overwrought, with an ingredient or two too many, and a few utterly miss their mark, more are executed with finesse and with a wicked sense of indulgence.

The New York Times - Food

Shakin' All Over and Please Don't Touch - both later covered by the Who and Motörhead/Girlschool respectively - have a sleaziness utterly missing from anythng by Kidd's Britrock rivals.

The Guardian - Music

The presentation of words on the page, the structure, as well as the marriage of sounds which binds the whole thing together, is so crucial, and utterly missing from, say, a tweet.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "utterly missed" with strong verbs and nouns to enhance the impact of your statement; for example, "utterly missed opportunity" or "utterly missed connection".

Common error

Avoid using "utterly missed" in situations where a simple "missed" would suffice. Overusing intensifiers can weaken your writing; reserve "utterly missed" for situations where the failure or oversight is particularly egregious or consequential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly missed" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying a verb, indicating a complete or extreme degree of failure or lack of understanding. Ludwig provides examples where "utterly" amplifies the verb "missed", emphasizing the significance of the oversight.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly missed" functions as a compound adjective expressing a complete failure or lack of understanding, often used to emphasize the significance of an oversight. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although its usage is relatively uncommon. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the emphasis and that it aligns with the intended level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely failed to grasp

This alternative emphasizes a total lack of understanding, rather than a general oversight.

totally failed to comprehend

Focuses on the failure to understand something intellectually.

entirely overlooked

Highlights the act of neglecting or disregarding something important.

completely disregarded

Emphasizes the intentional act of ignoring or dismissing something.

absolutely failed to appreciate

Focuses on a lack of recognition or gratitude for something.

entirely misconstrued

Highlights that the person understands in a wrong way.

thoroughly botched

Suggests a complete and utter failure in executing a task or plan.

profoundly misunderstood

Emphasizes a deep and significant lack of comprehension.

patently ignored

Emphasizes the obvious and deliberate nature of ignoring something.

egregiously neglected

Highlights a strikingly bad or outrageous neglect of something.

FAQs

How can I use "utterly missed" in a sentence?

Use "utterly missed" to emphasize the magnitude of something being missed or misunderstood. For example, "The company "utterly missed" the deadline, resulting in significant financial losses."

What can I say instead of "utterly missed"?

You can use alternatives like "completely failed to grasp", "entirely overlooked", or "totally failed to comprehend" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "utterly missed" or simply "missed"?

Using "utterly missed" is suitable when emphasizing the degree of failure or oversight. If the failure is not particularly significant, simply using "missed" is sufficient.

What's the difference between ""utterly missed"" and "partially missed"?

"Utterly missed" implies a complete failure to understand or achieve something. "Partially missed" suggests that only a portion of something was missed, and some level of understanding or achievement was attained.