almost impossible feat

USAGE SUMMARY

"almost impossible feat" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an achievement or challenge that is very difficult to complete. For example, "The Olympic athlete accomplished an almost impossible feat by completing the triple jump in less than 15 seconds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In 2006, Ephron managed the almost impossible feat of becoming an It girl yet again, in her sixties.

The New Yorker

IT would seem an almost impossible feat to stand out amid the clutter of Archangel Antiques, in the East Village, where tightly packed rails of vintage clothing vie for attention with glass cabinets lined with jewelry and curiosities.

The New York Times

In any case, Sharansky did not tip his hand — or his hat — to any one ideology, religious sect, or community, and he was enormously popular across the political spectrum: an almost impossible feat in fractious modern Israel.

The New Yorker

Judges said: "Making a news app feel different from other news apps is an almost impossible feat, but the Guardian's iPhone app rose to the challenge and has created an app that utilizes its space effectively yet beautifully..."...

The Guardian

In any case, Sharansky did not tip his hand or his hat to any one ideology, religious sect, or community, and he was enormously popular across the political spectrum: an almost impossible feat in fractious modern Israel.

The New Yorker

That would have been an almost impossible feat for any other blockade runner, but, by the end of the War, Trenholm was Treasurer of the Confederacy.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"In years to come, when we reflect with the judgement and enchantment that distance lends to these things, we may marvel at the almost impossible feats we achieved…".

BBC

It would be a world record, eclipsing the one set in November 2011, when Marc Lang, a German master, played 46 people at the same time, winning 25 of the games, drawing 19 and losing 2. These are almost-impossible feats, but Gareev explained how he handled his 27 opponents in Hawaii.

The New York Times

Off the pitch, Seeler was unassuming and reliably down to earth - he turned down offers to play in Italy for more money and never played for a different club than Hamburg - but in action, the striker would take flight: his speciality was acrobatic headers, and his most famous World Cup goal (the 2-2 equaliner in the quarter-final against England in Mexico) was an almost impossible aerial feat.

The Guardian - Sport

It is almost an impossible feat but they pulled it off".

Huffington Post

The team upgraded Salto's controller to make it far more precise on landing, a feat that was almost impossible using the previous controller system, SLIP.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a difficult but ultimately achievable goal, use "almost impossible feat" to highlight the significant effort and skill required, creating a sense of admiration for the accomplishment.

Common error

Avoid using "almost impossible feat" when the task is genuinely impossible. Using it in such contexts weakens the impact of the phrase and misrepresents the situation. If it is truly impossible, use "impossible feat" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost impossible feat" functions as a noun phrase, where "almost impossible" modifies the noun "feat". It describes something achieved or attempted that is exceedingly difficult. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost impossible feat" describes an achievement of remarkable difficulty, one that seems nearly unattainable but is, against all odds, accomplished. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While relatively uncommon, its use is primarily found in news and media contexts, highlighting extraordinary efforts and accomplishments. Related phrases, such as "near-impossible accomplishment" and "exceptionally challenging achievement", offer subtle shifts in emphasis, focusing on the effort, difficulty, or ultimate success of the endeavor. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the situation; avoid exaggerating the impossibility. This phrase is an effective way to express admiration for overcoming significant obstacles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near-impossible accomplishment

Replaces 'feat' with 'accomplishment' and uses 'near-impossible' to soften the impossibility, implying a slightly higher chance of success.

exceptionally challenging achievement

Focuses on the high level of difficulty, replacing 'impossible' with 'exceptionally challenging' and 'feat' with 'achievement'.

extremely difficult undertaking

Substitutes 'feat' with 'undertaking', emphasizing the process and effort involved, and highlights the difficulty.

formidable task

Highlights the challenging nature of the task, simplifying the original phrase while maintaining the core meaning.

daunting endeavor

Replaces 'feat' with 'endeavor', suggesting a serious and potentially overwhelming effort.

monumental challenge

Emphasizes the size and significance of the challenge, portraying it as very large and difficult.

herculean effort

Alludes to the mythical hero Hercules, highlighting the immense strength and effort required.

remarkable accomplishment

Highlights the extraordinary nature of the achievement, downplaying the difficulty.

tough proposition

Replaces 'feat' with 'proposition', suggesting a task that is difficult to execute or agree upon.

noteworthy triumph

Focuses on the successful outcome, substituting 'feat' with 'triumph' and highlighting the significance of the victory.

FAQs

How can I use "almost impossible feat" in a sentence?

You can use "almost impossible feat" to describe a task or achievement that is extremely difficult but not entirely out of reach. For instance, "Climbing Mount Everest without oxygen is an "almost impossible feat"".

What phrases are similar to "almost impossible feat"?

Alternatives include "near-impossible accomplishment", "exceptionally challenging achievement", or "extremely difficult undertaking". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "almost impossible feat"?

Use "almost impossible feat" when you want to emphasize that something was very difficult to achieve, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility. It's perfect for showcasing incredible effort and skill in overcoming significant odds.

What's the difference between "almost impossible feat" and "impossible feat"?

"Almost impossible feat" implies a very high degree of difficulty, but suggests that success is still attainable. "Impossible feat", on the other hand, describes something that is completely unachievable under normal circumstances.