a tough idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tough idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a concept or notion that is difficult to understand, implement, or accept. Example: "Proposing a complete overhaul of the company's structure is a tough idea, but it may be necessary for future growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This is a tough idea to swallow because better health really does seem as if it should lead to lower medical bills.

The New York Times

That may be a tough idea to sell to American politicians in campaign season.

Forbes

Also, it's a tough idea to sell when Sony Ericsson is making such good music phones.

TechCrunch

Sight-seeing, to me, seems like a tough idea simply because a lot of what you do during sight-seeing trips requires that you are physically present.

TechCrunch

Discernment can be a tough idea to embrace when you feel frazzled.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They both have a very tough idea of foreign intervention and American exceptionalism.

Huffington Post

As professors of literature, we are constantly reminded of the ways that literature can provide material where readers engage in meaningful debate about tough ideas.

The Guardian - Books

It was a tough job: The idea was novel and a little ahead of the market at that time.

TechCrunch

Some bankers say Freehold will have a tough time selling the idea to Wall Street.

The New York Times

Quoting in bits this story of a composer ("Minna writes soundless music. Minna is a tad avant garde. Minna has a tough time explaining the idea to people") fails to capture the charm and fluidity that builds over dozens of pages.

The Guardian - Books

That's why after a tough work week, the idea of making plans even fun ones can be so unappealing.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tough idea", ensure the context clearly defines what makes the idea 'tough'—is it difficult to understand, implement, or accept? Provide specifics to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a tough idea" as a vague placeholder for difficulty. Replace it with more descriptive terms like 'complex', 'challenging', or 'demanding' to better convey the nature of the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tough idea" primarily functions as a noun phrase, with "tough" acting as an adjective modifying the noun "idea". This phrase, as seen in Ludwig's examples, describes a concept that presents difficulties or challenges.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tough idea" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a concept that is difficult to understand, implement, or accept. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is relatively common in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While "tough" may have slightly informal connotations on its own, it's generally acceptable in describing ideas. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the specific nature of the difficulty, and consider using more descriptive alternatives when greater precision is needed. While commonly used in news and media outlets, remember that clarity and precision are always paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging concept

Replaces 'tough' with 'challenging', focusing on the difficulty of the concept.

a difficult notion

Substitutes 'tough' with 'difficult', emphasizing the complexity of understanding.

a hard concept

Uses 'hard' instead of 'tough', highlighting the effort required to grasp the concept.

a demanding proposal

Replaces 'idea' with 'proposal', focusing on the rigorous requirements of the proposition.

a formidable plan

Substitutes 'tough' with 'formidable', stressing the potential obstacles involved in the plan.

a complicated suggestion

Emphasizes the intricate nature of the suggestion.

a problematic scheme

Highlights the potential issues associated with the scheme.

an intricate matter

Shifts focus to the complexity of the issue.

a knotty question

Emphasizes the puzzling nature of the question.

a thorny issue

Highlights the potential for conflict or disagreement related to the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "a tough idea" in a sentence?

You can use "a tough idea" to describe a concept that is difficult to understand, implement, or accept. For example, "Implementing the new policy is "a tough idea" because it requires significant restructuring."

What are some alternatives to "a tough idea"?

Alternatives include "a challenging concept", "a difficult notion", or "a hard concept" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a tough idea" formal or informal?

"A tough idea" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for academic or highly formal writing, you might consider a more precise alternative.

What makes an idea "tough"?

An idea might be considered "tough" if it is difficult to understand, requires significant effort to implement, faces strong opposition, or presents considerable challenges to overcome.