a tall ask

USAGE SUMMARY

"a tall ask" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a request or task that is difficult or challenging to fulfill. Example: "Asking someone to completely change their behavior overnight is a tall ask, but that's exactly what the coach demanded of his team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's a tall ask but all I need to do is to get back to playing my best and I think I'll merit a place in the starting 11".

Independent

The deal coming into force would also commit the countries to aspire to keep temperatures below 1.5C above pre-industrial levels – a tall ask and one that will require those country pledges to be ramped up – and for rich countries to continue giving climate aid to poorer countries beyond 2020.

The Guardian

"Reaching the play-offs is a tall ask but while there are points to play for there is no reason not to aim as high as you can".

BBC

That proposal is such a tall ask that Republicans didn't even bother including it on their initial offer. .

Huffington Post

"This is a tall ask though and requires diligence from a State Senate that has been reluctant, at best, to wade into issues surrounding the MTA," he continued.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Was the Buddha 43 meters tall?" asked another.

The New York Times

As I was about to leave, a tall one asked if he could borrow my premium racket, and I agreed.

The New York Times

It's a tall task to ask a federal judge to force the N.F.L. to operate its business.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a colourful way of saying that it was a tall order to ask Sparta to go to the help of distant Greeks, with few of whom it had kinship ties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The report of heavy guns is carried a long way, but it is a tall order to ask anyone to believe that they could be heard at two or three hundred miles.

The Guardian

This is a tall order to ask for but fortunately we were able to base the preconditioner on existing software, using the complex L D L T factorization code of the MUMPS package [9].

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tall ask" when you want to subtly express the difficulty of a task without being overly negative or discouraging.

Common error

While acceptable, "a tall ask" might sound too informal in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using alternatives like "a significant challenge" or "a demanding request" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tall ask" functions as a noun phrase, where "tall" modifies "ask", indicating that the request or task is substantial or difficult. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and common usage. The phrase acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence.

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 tall ask" is a grammatically sound and subtly expressive phrase used to describe a request or task that is notably challenging. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to acknowledge the difficulty of an endeavor without resorting to overtly negative language. While perfectly acceptable in most situations, writers should consider the level of formality required by the context, opting for more precise alternatives in academic or highly formal writing. Its relative infrequency suggests that while understood, it is not as commonly employed as some of its synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A big ask

A more concise and informal version of the original phrase.

A formidable task

Underscores the size and difficulty of the task.

An uphill battle

Emphasizes the difficulty and resistance expected in pursuing the objective.

A demanding request

Focuses on the demanding nature of the request, emphasizing the effort required.

A difficult proposition

Highlights the problematic or uncertain nature of the suggestion.

A challenging endeavor

Highlights the difficulty and complexity of the task.

A major undertaking

Emphasizes the scale and resources required for the task.

An ambitious goal

Emphasizes the high level of aspiration and difficulty in reaching the target.

A stretch goal

Highlights that achieving the goal will require great effort and go beyond normal capabilities.

A Herculean effort

Compares the effort to the mythical strength and tasks of Hercules.

FAQs

How can I use "a tall ask" in a sentence?

You can use "a tall ask" to describe a task or request that is difficult to achieve. For example: "Convincing the board to invest in this project is "a tall ask", given the current economic climate."

What's a more formal alternative to "a tall ask"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a significant challenge", "a demanding request", or "a formidable task" instead of "a tall ask".

Is "a tall ask" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a tall ask" is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in informal and journalistic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

When is it appropriate to use "a tall ask"?

"A tall ask" is appropriate when you want to acknowledge the difficulty of something without being overly negative. It's often used in news, media, and informal communication to describe ambitious goals or challenging requests.