a hard case at work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hard case at work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging situation or individual in a work environment that requires special attention or effort to manage. Example: "Dealing with the new client has been a hard case at work, but we're learning how to navigate their demands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A hard case at work, Dutch is domesticated at home, which makes his wife's infidelity particularly hard to work through.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

(Actually, I was not a hard case at all).

The New Yorker

It's a hard case.

The New Yorker

Iraq was a hard case.

The New York Times - Books

It's a hard case to make.

The New York Times

This should not be a hard case.

The New York Times

"This is a hard case," Jaros said.

Los Angeles Times

Because he really does have a hard time at work.

The New Yorker

Hitch is a harder case.

Forbes

It was something given to the working class to enjoy after a hard week at work.

BBC

"They been on my case at work".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a hard case at work", clearly define what makes the situation or person challenging to provide context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a hard case at work" as a general term for any work-related difficulty; reserve it for situations or individuals that require significant and specific management due to their unique challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hard case at work" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a particularly challenging situation or individual within a work environment. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase describes something that requires special effort to manage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hard case at work" is a noun phrase that describes a challenging situation or individual in a professional setting. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's used to highlight difficulties and signal the need for careful management. While relatively rare, its primary context is news media, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure you provide enough context to clarify the specific nature of the challenge. Alternative phrases include "a difficult situation at work" or "a challenging task at work".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult situation at work

Replaces "hard case" with "difficult situation", focusing on the challenging nature of the work environment.

a challenging task at work

Substitutes "hard case" with "challenging task", emphasizing the complexity of the work.

a tough problem at work

Replaces "hard case" with "tough problem", highlighting the problematic aspect of the work-related situation.

a tricky situation at work

Substitutes "hard case" with "tricky situation", emphasizing the need for careful handling and strategy.

a complex matter at work

Replaces "hard case" with "complex matter", indicating the complicated nature of the work issue.

a thorny issue at work

Replaces "hard case" with "thorny issue", highlighting the sensitive and potentially problematic aspect of the situation.

a demanding person at work

Focuses on a person causing difficulty, rather than a situation; shifts the emphasis to a challenging individual.

a trying experience at work

Replaces "hard case" with "trying experience", highlighting the challenging and testing nature of the work.

an arduous undertaking at work

Substitutes "hard case" with "arduous undertaking", stressing the effort required to manage the situation.

a stressful situation at work

Replaces "hard case" with "stressful situation", underlining the emotional impact of the work environment.

FAQs

How can I use "a hard case at work" in a sentence?

You might say, "Dealing with the difficult client has been "a hard case at work", requiring extra patience and understanding."

What is a more formal alternative to "a hard case at work"?

A more formal alternative would be "a challenging situation at work" or "a complex matter at work".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a hard case at work"?

It's appropriate when describing a particular situation or individual that presents significant difficulties and requires specific attention or handling in a professional setting.

What's the difference between "a hard case at work" and "a hard day at work"?

"A hard case at work" refers to a specific, ongoing challenge, while "a hard day at work" describes a generally difficult day without necessarily pointing to a particular persistent issue.