a tall task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tall task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a difficult or challenging task that must be completed. For example, "The CEO assigned me the tall task of developing a new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is a tall task.

The New York Times

That's a tall task.

The New York Times - Sports

Clearly, the panel faces a tall task.

The New York Times

It is a tall task, though.

The New York Times - Sports

Dealing with the corporate side of things also proved to be a tall task.

The New York Times

It will be a tall task, as evidenced by Wednesday's game.

The New York Times - Sports

That's a tall task for a ball-and-X to accomplish.

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

After losing to Argentina and Samoa on consecutive weekends, Wales faces a tall task to salvage a No. 2 seed.

The New York Times - Sports

Such a transformation is a tall task for someone who had never before run a public company.

The New York Times

Testaverde has taken on a tall task, fending off the Falcons' fierce rush this week and, beyond that, time itself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tall task" when you want to emphasize the difficulty and magnitude of a particular task or undertaking. It's particularly effective when the challenge is significant and requires considerable effort.

Common error

While "a tall task" is a common idiom, avoid overusing it in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a difficult undertaking" or "a challenging endeavor" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tall task" functions as a noun phrase that describes a particular assignment or goal. It characterizes the task as being demanding and difficult to achieve, as supported by Ludwig's numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tall task" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a difficult or challenging undertaking. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, including news, sports, and academia. While it's a useful idiom, remember to use it judiciously and consider alternatives like "a difficult undertaking" or "a formidable challenge" to avoid overuse. Being mindful of your audience, and the overall tone, will help you best use the phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult undertaking

Replaces "task" with a more formal synonym, "undertaking", emphasizing the scale and complexity.

a challenging endeavor

Substitutes "task" with "endeavor", highlighting the effort and ambition involved.

a formidable challenge

Focuses on the difficulty as a challenge, using the adjective "formidable" to intensify the scale.

a Herculean effort

Emphasizes the immense strength and effort required, alluding to the mythological hero Hercules.

a major hurdle

Highlights the task as an obstacle that needs to be overcome.

a tough assignment

Replaces "task" with "assignment", which is often used in professional settings.

an uphill battle

Implies that the task will be a constant struggle against opposing forces.

a demanding job

Replaces "task" with "job", focusing on the effort and resources required.

a significant undertaking

Uses "significant" to emphasize the task's importance and potential impact.

no easy feat

Highlights the difficulty by stating that completing the task will not be simple or straightforward.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tall task" to describe a difficult or challenging undertaking. For example, "Convincing the board to approve the new budget will be "a tall task"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a tall task"?

You can use alternatives such as "a difficult undertaking", "a challenging endeavor", or "a formidable challenge" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a tall task" in formal writing?

While "a tall task" is generally acceptable, in very formal contexts, you might consider using alternatives like "a difficult undertaking" or "a significant endeavor" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the origin of the idiom "a tall task"?

The idiom "a tall task" likely derives from the idea that a tall object is difficult to climb or overcome, thus symbolizing a difficult or challenging undertaking.