a hard sell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hard sell" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone is trying to persuade or convince someone else to buy or believe something, but it is proving difficult. An example of using this phrase in a sentence would be: "The advertisement campaign for the new product was a hard sell, as consumers were hesitant to believe the exaggerated claims made by the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still a hard sell.

The New York Times

It is a hard sell.

The New York Times

He was a hard sell.

Independent

It was a hard sell.

The New Yorker

JR: It's a hard sell.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The future remains a hard sell.

The New York Times

This is not a hard sell.

The New York Times

It may be a hard sell.

The Economist

But the country is a hard sell.

The Economist

It probably was not a hard sell.

The New York Times

At first, it was a hard sell.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a hard sell", consider the audience's perspective and tailor your approach to address their specific concerns. Highlighting benefits and providing evidence-based information can make it easier to gain their trust and acceptance.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the merits of something when you acknowledge it's "a hard sell". Authenticity and transparency can go a long way in building credibility and ultimately increasing the chances of acceptance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hard sell" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object of a verb. It describes something that requires significant effort and persuasion to be accepted or bought, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hard sell" is a commonly used phrase that describes something challenging to market, convince others of, or gain acceptance for. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, academic and business contexts. When employing this phrase, it's best to acknowledge the difficulty without exaggerating and to tailor your approach to address audience concerns effectively. Alternatives such as "difficult to market" or "tough to convince" can be used for variety. Remember to be authentic and focus on genuine benefits to increase the likelihood of acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not a straightforward sale

Indicates that the sale requires extra effort.

tough to convince

Highlights the difficulty in persuading someone.

challenging proposition

Frames the situation as a difficult offer or suggestion.

requires significant persuasion

Emphasizes the amount of convincing needed.

difficult to market

Focuses on the marketing aspect of something being challenging to sell.

formidable challenge

Highlights the significant difficulty presented.

uphill battle

Uses a metaphor to describe the struggle involved.

not easily accepted

Emphasizes the resistance to acceptance of an idea or product.

difficult undertaking

Focuses on the challenging nature of the endeavor.

faces resistance

Indicates opposition to the idea or product.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a hard sell" in a sentence?

You can use "a hard sell" to describe a product, idea, or service that is difficult to convince people of its value. For example, "Convincing investors to fund this project will be "a hard sell" given the current economic climate".

What are some alternatives to saying "a hard sell"?

Instead of "a hard sell", you could use phrases like "difficult to market", "tough to convince", or "challenging proposition", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a hard sell" in formal writing?

Yes, "a hard sell" is appropriate in both formal and informal writing. While it's a common idiom, it's also widely understood and accepted in professional contexts, as evidenced by its use in news and media sources.

What makes something "a hard sell"?

Something becomes "a hard sell" when it faces significant resistance due to factors such as high costs, skepticism, lack of demand, or conflicting opinions. Overcoming these challenges requires extra effort and persuasion.