worst once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worst once" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a negative experience or outcome that occurred at least one time, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "That was the worst once I tried to cook dinner for my friends."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This is the private sector at its worst; once the contract is locked in, they become gleefully inert.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Readers should be advised that the article contains some fairly disturbing material — and you haven't encountered the worst once you make it past the opening description of the murders).

The New Yorker

He took a shocking fall at Aintree the following month and his fans had cause to fear the worst once more, as he pulled up lame, bleeding badly from a cut, and the green screens went up around him.

The Guardian - Sport

However, things take a turn for the worst once Harriet falls for an aristocratic exile, not knowing that her father and intended fiance are on their way to track her down... Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland The final ballet book on our list is another autobiography, this time by American ballet dancer Misty Copeland.

The Guardian

This was his reward, eventually after that harrowing opening spell when he must surely have feared the worst once more.

BBC

Soon after, we compute the centroid (c = frac {1}{n} sum _{j neq w} p_{j}) of all sample points except the worst once.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I must know the worst at once.

The New Yorker

In a strange way, it's the best kind of feeling, and the worst, at once".

The Guardian

Often Money, like gin, can bring out the worst Although once, after a couple stiff ones, My mother gave you her mother's diamond ring.

The New York Times

At worst, every once in a while a toddler wakes up and cries and someone hastens off to persuade him or her to fall asleep again.

The New York Times

And despite the government's assurances, the farmers here suspect the worst: that once the water is treated, it will be pumped back to Mexico City, leaving the farms dry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "worst once" with more precise and grammatically accepted alternatives like "worst instance" or "single worst time". This ensures your message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "once" as a noun to describe an event. Instead, consider using words such as "time", "instance", or "occasion" for clarity and grammatical correctness. For example, instead of saying "That was the worst once", try "That was the worst time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worst once" functions as a noun phrase, though its usage is grammatically questionable. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase does not follow standard English grammar rules and lacks clarity. Better alternatives include "worst time" or "worst instance".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worst once" is grammatically questionable and not commonly accepted in standard English. As Ludwig indicates, it is advisable to use clearer and more grammatically accurate alternatives such as "worst time", "worst experience", or "worst instance". While "worst once" appears in various contexts, including news and media, its informal nature and potential for misinterpretation make it less suitable for formal or professional writing. Therefore, when aiming for precision and clarity, opting for established phrases is highly recommended. In essence, while the intent might be understood, the execution falls short due to grammatical inaccuracies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worst instance

Replaces 'once' with 'instance' to denote a specific occurrence, making the phrase grammatically sound and clearer.

single worst time

Emphasizes the singularity and negativity of the occasion, improving the phrase's clarity.

worst occasion

Substitutes 'once' with 'occasion', providing a more formal and grammatically correct alternative.

worst single event

Replaces 'once' with 'single event', emphasizing a specific, negative occurrence.

the nadir

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word indicating the lowest point, providing a more concise alternative.

lowest point

Directly states the concept of the lowest or most difficult moment, offering a simple and clear alternative.

most difficult episode

Replaces the phrase to highlight a challenging event within a larger series of events, improving clarity.

one terrible incident

Specifies a negative event with a strong emphasis on its unpleasant nature, providing a descriptive alternative.

a particularly bad experience

Highlights the subjective negativity of an event, making the phrase more descriptive and clear.

a low point in time

Emphasizes a temporal low point, offering a straightforward and easily understandable substitute.

FAQs

How can I use "worst time" in a sentence?

Use "worst time" to refer to a particularly bad or difficult moment. For example, "That was the "worst time" of my life" indicates a period filled with hardship.

What alternatives can I use instead of "worst once"?

Consider using phrases like "worst experience", "most difficult time", or "lowest point" as clearer and more grammatically sound substitutes.

Is "worst once" grammatically correct?

No, "worst once" is not grammatically correct. It's better to use phrases such as ""worst time"" or "worst experience" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

What is the difference between "worst once" and "worst time"?

"Worst once" is grammatically incorrect and unclear. "Worst time" is grammatically correct and refers to a particularly difficult or unpleasant moment.