a tricky hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tricky hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific hour that is challenging or difficult, often in the context of scheduling or tasks. Example: "I have a tricky hour ahead of me with back-to-back meetings and tight deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

His voice sounds slightly thicker, too, as if he has just endured a tricky hour at the dentist's.

The Guardian - Music

As parliament had specifically voted against Syrian air strikes in 2013, this announcement could have given his defence minister a tricky hour or so in the Commons but for Mr Airfix's uncanny ability to come unstuck all on his own.

The Guardian

With only a lone Lib Dem, Sir Malcolm Bruce, daring to raise his voice – and then more in conciliation than threat – Gove easily quick-stepped his way through what might have been a tricky hour.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Earlier Major Peake, from Chichester, West Sussex, told of his pride in stepping into space with the Union Jack on his space suit saying it was a 'a privilege' and 'a proud moment". The flag could be seen clearly as Major Peake, exited from a hatch on the ISS on a tricky six hour mission to repair a faulty solar power unit and lay new cables.

The Telegraph

There was still a tricky half hour of play for the Sri Lankans to negotiate, but after Sangakkara (13 not out) signed on with an impeccable drive through midwicket for four, the tourists eased their way through to stumps.

BBC

A: Tricky.

The New York Times - Sports

It proved a tricky few hours.

The Economist

The declaration came immediately after Khawaja's ton - Australia's fourth individual century of the match - but Sri Lanka navigated a tricky half-hour to stumps.

The Guardian - Sport

Clarke's declaration left South Africa needing a nominal 511 for victory but more realistically with four full sessions to bat, plus a tricky half-hour before tea.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's been a tricky 24 hours.

BBC

It left India openers Gautam Gambhir and Abhinav Mukund a tricky final half hour, but they survived six overs to reach 17-0.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tricky hour" when you want to convey that a specific one-hour period is likely to involve unexpected challenges or require careful navigation. For example, "The lawyer anticipated a tricky hour during the cross-examination."

Common error

Avoid using "a tricky hour" to describe a situation that is merely inconvenient or slightly challenging. The phrase implies a genuine risk of complications or failure, not just a minor annoyance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tricky hour" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "tricky" modifies the noun "hour". Ludwig AI confirms its role in describing a specific, challenging time period. As seen in the examples, it typically refers to a period where careful navigation is required.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tricky hour" is a noun phrase used to describe a specific hour that is expected to be challenging or difficult. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and primarily used in news and media contexts. While the phrase is relatively rare, it effectively conveys the need for careful navigation and attention to potential problems during that time. When using "a tricky hour", ensure the context genuinely warrants the implication of complexity or difficulty to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging hour

Replaces "tricky" with a synonym that emphasizes the demanding nature of the hour.

a difficult hour

Uses a more straightforward adjective to describe the hour's level of hardship.

a problematic hour

Highlights the presence of problems or issues during that hour.

a testing hour

Emphasizes the hour as a trial or challenge of one's abilities or resilience.

a trying hour

Indicates the hour is likely to cause stress or emotional strain.

a complicated hour

Focuses on the complexity and potential for confusion during the hour.

a demanding hour

Highlights the high level of effort and attention required during the hour.

a taxing hour

Similar to 'demanding' but implies a greater drain on one's resources or energy.

a strenuous hour

Emphasizes the physical or mental effort involved during the hour.

a critical hour

Highlights the importance and potential consequences of events during the hour.

FAQs

How can I use "a tricky hour" in a sentence?

You can use "a tricky hour" to describe a period of time that is expected to be challenging or require careful handling. For example, "The CEO knew the investor meeting would be "a challenging hour".".

What phrases are similar to "a tricky hour"?

Similar phrases include "a difficult hour", ""a challenging hour"", or "a problematic hour", all indicating a period of time presenting difficulties.

Is it appropriate to use "a tricky hour" in formal writing?

Yes, "a tricky hour" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news or business contexts where it's necessary to convey a sense of difficulty or complexity concisely. However, in academic writing, it might be preferable to use more precise language that specifies the nature of the challenge.

What does "a tricky hour" imply about the situation?

"A tricky hour" implies that the hour in question will require careful navigation and may involve unexpected challenges or problems. It suggests a situation that is not straightforward and may require skill or cleverness to manage effectively.