a tough order

USAGE SUMMARY

"a tough order" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a difficult task, challenge, or situation. For example, "Completing this project in two weeks is a tough order!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

HuffPost

TechCrunch

The New York Times

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It is a tough order, but Qadriyyah Razzaaq, for one, is a believer.

The New York Times

It's a tough order, because it's up against so much competition, but hopefully that weirdness will play into it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

When I go on TV I do a job, and my job is to feed 100 punters in one hour, 15 minutes, which is a tough order.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's a dream come true," Weir told Channel 4. "Obviously I dreamt about winning all my races but it was going to be a tough order.

The Guardian - Sport

That's a tough order to fill.

TechCrunch

"I think we will have a tough order in the Olympic year.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

They will even be invited to make a play pizza for a bird of prey, a tougher order -- in every respect -- than putting together an ordinary pie.

The New York Times

Reversing a 15-year-long slide in prices, which Mr. Abe has singled out as both a cause and a symptom of waning profits, wages and consumption, is a tougher order.

The New York Times

Though the Rangers are also hoping Perez returns to the lineup in early to mid May, his is a tougher order.

Huffington Post

But assembling a two-thirds majority looks like being a much tougher order for Dr. Allawi, who is hoping to win the backing of the Kurds, but would still need to break away as many as 50 or 60 of the Shiite alliance's elected members, perhaps more, to win the prime minister's post.

The New York Times

He's got to walk into a tough situation in order to be brutally nonchalant, which is what we think is funny about him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tough order", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific task or situation is being described as difficult. For example, instead of saying "That's a tough order", specify "Meeting the deadline is a tough order."

Common error

Avoid using "a tough order" without specifying the task. Saying "It's a tough order" without explaining what "it" refers to can confuse the reader. Always provide the necessary context to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tough order" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a situation or task that is difficult to accomplish.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

HuffPost

5%

TechCrunch

5%

Less common in

Forbes

3%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tough order" is a commonly used phrase to describe a difficult task or challenge. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, primarily in news and media. When using this phrase, clarity is key; always ensure the specific task is clearly identified. Related phrases like "a challenging task" or "a difficult undertaking" can be used for formal contexts. Common errors include using the phrase without providing adequate context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging task

Replaces "tough order" with "challenging task", maintaining a similar level of difficulty but focusing on the inherent challenge.

a difficult undertaking

Substitutes "tough order" with "difficult undertaking", suggesting a more substantial and complex project.

a tall order

A more idiomatic synonym for "a tough order", emphasizing the high expectations or demands.

a formidable challenge

Replaces "tough order" with "formidable challenge", highlighting the significant obstacles involved.

a demanding assignment

Emphasizes the high level of effort and skill required, making it suitable in professional contexts.

no easy feat

Highlights that a particular achievement requires serious effort and resources to accomplish.

a hard ask

Replaces "tough order" with "hard ask", emphasizing the difficulty of the request.

a Herculean task

A Herculean task is a task that seems impossible because it requires great strength or effort.

an uphill battle

Suggests an opposition that may be very difficult to overcome.

a grueling endeavor

Stresses the arduous and exhausting nature of the task or project.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tough order" to describe a difficult task or challenge. For example, "Getting the project completed by Friday is "a tough order"."

What's a more formal way to say "a tough order"?

In a more formal setting, you might use phrases like "a challenging task" or "a difficult undertaking" instead of "a tough order".

What does it mean when someone says "a tall order"?

The phrase "a tall order" is an idiom that means the same as "a tough order". It indicates a difficult or demanding task.

Is "a tough order" the same as "an easy task"?

No, "a tough order" is the opposite of an easy task. It describes something that is challenging and requires significant effort to achieve.