a delicate life

USAGE SUMMARY

'a delicate life' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is fragile, vulnerable, or easily broken down. For example, "He chose to lead a delicate life, avoiding any risks that could lead to hardship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I remember she was crying one day because her baby had fallen out of its crib and I felt, wow, what a delicate life you have.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As a wedding-anniversary present one year, she gave her husband a delicate life-size model of a cockroach.

The New Yorker

It consists of a delicate, life-size human skull made of household dust fitted over the business end of a synthetic feather duster.

The New York Times - Arts

The violence is brutally imagined and the characters subtly realised, with Lauren Cuthbertson bringing a delicate inner life to the role of Mary-Jane Kelly. Mary-Jane Kelly

The Guardian

But as the piece progresses, Marin layers in more expressively individual detail – a larky smile, a jaunty caper, a gesture of stoic tenderness – that bring each dancer's personality to comic and delicate life.

The Guardian

The sprinkling of water would have destroyed the delicate life.

The New York Times - Health

The delicate life of the family living in the marsh is shattered by the attacks.

The New Yorker

Julia Blackburn's Threads: The Delicate Life of John Craske is published by Jonathan Cape.

The Guardian - Arts

I brought them back three times after that, carefully considering which days to wear them to preserve their delicate life span.

The New York Times

I also like the sound both of A Curious Friendship: The Story of a Bluestocking and a Bright Young Thing by Anna Thomasson, an account of the unlikely relationship between the writer Edith Oliver and the artist Rex Whistler (Macmillan, March) and of Threads: The Delicate Life of John Craske by Julia Blackburn Jonathan Capee, April).

The Guardian - Books

I will be taking Instrumental by James Rhodes (Canongate £16.99) because I like his electric energy, Threads: The Delicate Life of John Craske by Julia Blackburn (Jonathan Cape £25), which I have already read but it's my favourite book of the year, and Remembered for a While (John Murray £35), a beautiful book about Nick Drake compiled by his sister, Gabrielle.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about environmental issues or species conservation, using "a delicate life" can effectively convey the vulnerability of certain organisms or ecosystems to external threats.

Common error

While "a delicate life" can be used metaphorically, avoid overusing it in contexts where more specific language would provide greater clarity. For instance, instead of saying "the project had a delicate life", consider specifying the factors that made it vulnerable, such as "the project's success depended on securing additional funding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a delicate life" primarily functions as a noun phrase, with "delicate" acting as an adjective modifying the noun "life". It is used to describe something easily damaged, threatened, or requiring careful handling. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

23%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a delicate life" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies fragility and vulnerability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, especially when emphasizing the need for careful handling or protection. This phrase is commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and scientific publications. Remember to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse in figurative contexts where more specific language might be beneficial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fragile existence

Emphasizes the easily breakable nature of life.

a precarious situation

Highlights the instability and risk involved.

a vulnerable state

Focuses on the susceptibility to harm or damage.

a sensitive balance

Indicates the need for careful equilibrium.

a tenuous hold on life

Suggests a weak or uncertain grip on existence.

a brittle reality

Emphasizes the easily shattered nature of life's circumstances.

a finely tuned system

Highlights the complexity and sensitivity of living organisms or systems.

a tender existence

Focuses on the gentleness and vulnerability of life.

an easily disrupted state

Stresses the susceptibility to disturbance or imbalance.

a threatened livelihood

Indicates a life or way of living that is at risk.

FAQs

How can I use "a delicate life" in a sentence?

You can use "a delicate life" to describe something or someone that is fragile, vulnerable, or easily harmed. For example, "The ecosystem supports "a delicate life" that is easily disrupted by pollution".

What phrases are similar to "a delicate life"?

Similar phrases include "a fragile existence", "a vulnerable state", or "a tenuous hold on life". Each of these emphasizes the vulnerability or fragility of something.

Is it correct to say "a delicate life" when referring to a business venture?

While possible, it's often better to use more specific language to describe the vulnerabilities of a business. Instead of saying "the business has "a delicate life"", consider phrases like "the business is financially unstable" or "the business is highly susceptible to market fluctuations".

What makes "a delicate life" different from "a difficult life"?

"A delicate life" emphasizes fragility and vulnerability, while "a difficult life" focuses on hardship and challenges. They describe different aspects of existence, though both can overlap in certain contexts.