a harsh call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a harsh call" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision or judgment that is severe or difficult, often implying that it may be unfair or overly strict. Example: "The coach made a harsh call by benching the star player for the entire game, leaving fans and players alike in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A harsh call by referee Alejandro Marshal saw Quintero out of the match.

The Guardian - Sport

A dark starling-sized bird with a harsh call is a square-tailed drongo.

The Guardian

Taulafo's was perhaps a harsh call, but Samoa were rattled and making needless, erratic errors.

The Guardian - Sport

Nalbandian leads 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 3 - 5* By jimini that's a harsh call for Baghdatis.

The Guardian - Sport

His replacement, Jonny Bairstow, was barely proficient with both bat and gloves but it would be a harsh call to drop him after only one match.

Independent

At that point, the scores were level at 20-20, Danny Tickle having kicked the first of those controversial penalties after Keith Mason was punished for passing after the referee had shouted held - a harsh call, given the din.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The species-specific song performance starts with a few flute-like introductory notes, followed by a harsh call-like syllable of rasping quality, which is then followed by a series of clear flute-like melodic syllables (Fig. 1).

Plosone

The eastern P. c. exsul of Lanzarote and possibly Fuerteventura is paler above and less rufous below than its western relative, and had a harsher call; it might have been a distinct species, but it became extinct in 1986 at latest, probably much earlier.

Wikipedia

"I thought we had a pretty harsh call on a forward pass against Matty Ashurst.

BBC

Slater boots it into Hodkinson and the ref calls knock-on, which is a very harsh call against NSW.

The Guardian - Sport

Strange as it sounds, the moment Haskell was sent to the sin-bin – a pretty harsh call, all things considered – I thought England would be the ones to benefit if they stayed calm and did the right things in the right places.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a harsh call", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the call and why it is considered harsh. Providing context enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "a harsh call" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for more relatable terms like "a tough break" or "an unfair deal" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a harsh call" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is often used to describe a judgment or decision perceived as severe or unfair.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a harsh call" is a noun phrase used to describe a decision or judgment considered severe or unfair. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. While it is not overly formal, its usage should be carefully considered in casual settings. Alternative phrases like "a severe judgment" or "a tough decision" can be used to convey similar meanings with varying degrees of emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates who made the call and why it is perceived as harsh to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a severe judgment

Emphasizes the strictness of the decision.

a tough decision

Highlights the difficulty in making the decision.

an unfair ruling

Focuses on the perceived injustice of the decision.

a stringent assessment

Suggests a rigorous and exacting evaluation.

a critical evaluation

Implies a detailed and potentially negative analysis.

a strict verdict

Highlights the uncompromising nature of the decision.

an excessive penalty

Indicates that the punishment is disproportionately severe.

a rigorous enforcement

Emphasizes the strict and uncompromising application of rules.

an extreme measure

Highlights the radical and potentially controversial nature of the action.

a draconian law

Suggests a law that is excessively harsh and severe.

FAQs

How can I use "a harsh call" in a sentence?

You can use "a harsh call" to describe a decision or judgment that is severe or seems unfair. For example, "The referee's decision to penalize the player was "a harsh call", considering the circumstances".

What's a less formal way to say "a harsh call"?

Informally, you might say "a tough break" or "an unfair shake" instead of "a harsh call" depending on the situation.

What's the difference between "a tough call" and "a harsh call"?

"A tough call" implies a difficult decision, while "a harsh call" suggests the decision was not only difficult but also severe or unfair. /s/a+tough+call highlights the difficulty of the decision itself.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a harsh call"?

It's appropriate to use "a harsh call" when you want to emphasize that a decision, ruling, or judgment was unduly severe or lacked justification in the given context. This expression is often used in fields such as sports, law, or business.