Sore loser
Slang Term
AmericanBritishAustralian
★★★★★ Very Common
Casual
Meaning: Someone who gets angry or bitter when they lose.
输了就生气或不甘心的人。
Alguien que se enfada o amarga cuando pierde.
負けると怒ったり、ひがんだりする人。
지면 화를 내거나 억울해하는 사람.
A person who can't accept defeat gracefully—they complain, blame others, or become hostile when they lose.
无法优雅地接受失败的人——他们会抱怨、责怪别人,或者输了就变得充满敌意。
Una persona que no puede aceptar la derrota con gracia—se quejan, culpan a otros o se vuelven hostiles cuando pierden.
負けを潔く受け入れられない人。文句を言ったり、他人のせいにしたり、負けると敵意を示す。
패배를 깔끔하게 인정하지 못하는 사람을 말한다. 불평하거나, 남 탓을 하거나, 지면 적대적으로 변하는 사람이다.
Literal meaning: Loser who is sore/upset
Examples
- Don't be a sore loser. 别输不起No seas mal perdedor往生際の悪いことを言うなよ못되게 굴지 마, 승복해.
- He's such a sore loser. 他真是个输不起的人Es un malísimo perdedor彼は本当に負けず嫌いだ그는 정말 지는 걸 못 참는다.
- Nobody likes a sore loser. 没人喜欢输不起的人A nadie le gustan los malos perdedores負け惜しみを言う人は嫌われる아무도 억울해하는 패자를 좋아하지 않는다.
Pronunciation
/sɔː ˈluːzə/
Usage Guide
Context: competition, character, criticism
Tone: critical, dismissive
✓ Do Say
- Such a sore loser.真是个输不起的人Qué mal perdedor本当に負けず嫌いだな진짜 지는 걸 못 참는 사람이야.
- Don't be a sore loser.别输不起No seas mal perdedor潔く負けを認めなよ지고 나서 찡찡대지 마.
- He's a sore loser.他输不起Es un mal perdedor彼は負けると怒る人だ걔는 지면 화를 내는 사람이야.
✗ Don't Say
- Bad loserBad loser(输不起的人)Bad loser(mal perdedor)Bad loser(悪い負け方をする人)Bad loser (못 지는 사람)
- Poor sportPoor sport(没有体育精神的人)Poor sport(mal deportista)Poor sport(スポーツマンシップのない人)Poor sport (스포츠맨십 없는 사람)
Common Mistakes
- Always negative
- Opposite of 'good sport'
Origin & History
From 'sore' meaning upset or aggrieved.
Etymology: American English, early 20th century
First recorded: Early 1900s
Cultural Context
Era: Early 20th century to present
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: Sports culture; Political commentary
Regional notes: Universal English expression.
Variations
Sore loserSuch a sore loserBeing a sore loser
Related Phrases
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Kick off
★★★★★
To start something; also to become angry (British).
Throw in the towel
★★★★★
To give up or admit defeat.
Touch base
★★★★★
To make brief contact with someone.
Game plan
★★★★★
A strategy or plan of action.
Par for the course
★★★★★
Normal or expected; typical for the situation.
Front runner
★★★★★
The leading candidate or competitor.
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