fierce competition
Intense rivalry
Literalmente: Aggressive/Wild competition
Use `fierce competition` to describe serious, high-stakes battles where winning requires extreme effort and aggression.
En 15 segundos
- A very intense struggle to win or be the best.
- Used for business, sports, and high-stakes situations.
- Implies an aggressive and difficult environment.
Significado
This phrase describes a situation where people or companies are fighting very hard to win or be the best. It feels like a battle where everyone is being aggressive and nobody wants to lose.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Discussing a job market
There is fierce competition for entry-level roles in tech right now.
There is intense rivalry for starting positions in technology.
Talking about a sports league
The fierce competition between the two teams made the final game incredible.
The intense rivalry between the teams made the final amazing.
Texting a friend about a sale
I managed to get the last pair of shoes, but the competition was fierce!
I got the shoes, but it was a struggle against other shoppers!
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects the high-pressure nature of Western market economies and the 'winner-takes-all' mentality often found in sports and corporate culture. It gained massive popularity in the 20th century as global trade made markets more crowded and aggressive. In many English-speaking countries, being able to survive 'fierce competition' is seen as a badge of honor and a sign of strength.
The 'Face' Rule
Always try to use the verb `face` with this phrase. It makes you sound very natural. 'We are facing fierce competition' is a 10/10 sentence.
Don't say 'Angry Competition'
Even though `fierce` can mean 'angry' in other contexts, we never say 'angry competition'. Stick to `fierce`, `stiff`, or `intense`.
En 15 segundos
- A very intense struggle to win or be the best.
- Used for business, sports, and high-stakes situations.
- Implies an aggressive and difficult environment.
What It Means
Imagine a group of hungry lions chasing one piece of meat. That is fierce competition. It describes a situation where everyone is trying their absolute hardest to win. It is not just a friendly game. It is intense, aggressive, and sometimes a bit scary. You use this when the stakes are high. It means the struggle to succeed is very difficult because others are just as good as you.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase as a noun. It often follows verbs like face, encounter, or experience. For example, you might say your company faces fierce competition. You can also use it to describe a market or a sports league. It sounds strong and professional. It tells people that the situation is serious. Don't use it for a casual board game with your grandma. Unless your grandma is a world-class chess champion. Then it might fit!
When To Use It
Use it when talking about business or career moves. It is perfect for a job interview. You can explain why a project was hard. Use it when discussing sports or high-level exams. It works well when you want to sound impressed by the level of effort required. It is great for news reports or academic essays too. It adds a sense of drama to your description.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this for small, unimportant things. If two friends are racing to the fridge, it is not fierce competition. That sounds too dramatic. Do not use it if the mood is light and relaxed. It implies a bit of stress or pressure. If everyone is winning, it is not fierce. Fierce means someone might get left behind. Keep it for the big battles in life.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, we love a good underdog story. But we also respect the 'grind'. Fierce competition reflects a capitalist and athletic mindset. It shows that we value being the best. The word fierce originally meant 'wild' or 'savage'. It comes from the Latin word for 'wild beast'. So, when you use this, you are saying the business world is like a jungle. It has been a popular phrase since the industrial revolution.
Common Variations
You might hear people say stiff competition or cut-throat competition. Stiff is a bit more formal and less emotional. Cut-throat is much more aggressive and sounds a bit dangerous. You can also say intense rivalry. If you want to be more modern, you might say the market is crowded. But fierce competition remains the classic way to describe a tough fight for the top spot.
Notas de uso
This is a very safe phrase to use in almost any setting. It is a 'collocation,' meaning these two words are naturally 'glued' together in the minds of native speakers.
The 'Face' Rule
Always try to use the verb `face` with this phrase. It makes you sound very natural. 'We are facing fierce competition' is a 10/10 sentence.
Don't say 'Angry Competition'
Even though `fierce` can mean 'angry' in other contexts, we never say 'angry competition'. Stick to `fierce`, `stiff`, or `intense`.
The Animal Connection
In English, we often use animal adjectives for business. `Fierce` makes people think of tigers or lions. It implies that business is a survival game!
Ejemplos
6There is fierce competition for entry-level roles in tech right now.
There is intense rivalry for starting positions in technology.
Describes a difficult job-seeking environment.
The fierce competition between the two teams made the final game incredible.
The intense rivalry between the teams made the final amazing.
Highlights the excitement of a close match.
I managed to get the last pair of shoes, but the competition was fierce!
I got the shoes, but it was a struggle against other shoppers!
Uses the phrase slightly more casually for a relatable win.
We need a better strategy because we are facing fierce competition from overseas.
We need a plan because international rivals are very strong.
Standard professional use in a corporate setting.
The fierce competition on this app is making me want to buy a cat and give up.
The high number of rivals here is making me want to quit.
Exaggerates a personal situation for comedic effect.
Winning the scholarship despite the fierce competition was my proudest moment.
Winning the award against many rivals was my best moment.
Shows the emotional weight of succeeding in a hard environment.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the best word to complete the phrase describing a very tough market.
The smartphone industry is known for its ___ competition.
`Fierce` is the standard collocation for intense competition; `angry` describes an emotion, and `loud` describes a sound.
Which verb usually comes before 'fierce competition'?
The new startup had to ___ fierce competition from established brands.
We commonly use `face` or `encounter` when talking about dealing with competition.
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Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Fierce Competition'
Used with friends for funny situations.
The competition for the last slice of pizza was fierce!
Standard use in news or general talk.
There is fierce competition in the housing market.
Used in business reports and interviews.
Our firm successfully navigated fierce competition this quarter.
Where to use 'Fierce Competition'
Job Interviews
Explaining why a role is prestigious.
Sports Commentary
Describing a close championship race.
Business Strategy
Analyzing market rivals.
University Admissions
Talking about Ivy League schools.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIn this phrase, fierce means powerful, intense, and aggressive. It describes the level of effort, not the personality of the people.
You can, but it sounds a bit dramatic or sarcastic. For example, The fierce competition at our family game night ended in a tie.
Both are great! Fierce sounds a bit more descriptive and 'wild,' while intense is slightly more clinical.
It is neutral to formal. You can use it in a business report or a chat with a friend about a marathon.
You could say weak competition or no competition. If a market is easy, we might say it is an open field.
Yes! A fierce competitor is someone who plays very hard and never gives up.
Cut-throat competition is even stronger. It implies that people might be doing mean or unethical things to win.
In fashion, fierce means bold and amazing. But in fierce competition, it only means intense and difficult.
Learners often say strong competition. That is okay, but fierce is a much more common and natural collocation.
Yes, that is very common. Apple and Samsung are fierce competitors.
Frases relacionadas
Cut-throat competition
Extremely aggressive competition where people don't care about others.
Stiff competition
Very difficult competition, usually in a formal or business context.
A level playing field
A situation where everyone has the same opportunities to compete.
Survival of the fittest
The idea that only the strongest or best will succeed in a tough environment.
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