difficult to pin down

USAGE SUMMARY

"difficult to pin down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to reference something that is hard to define or explain in a straightforward manner. For example, "The exact impact of this policy on economy growth is difficult to pin down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's difficult to pin down why.

The New York Times

And why is Howl so infuriatingly difficult to pin down?

The Guardian - Books

(Monthly numbers are erratic, which makes it difficult to pin down the growth rate more precisely).

The Economist

How can one little berry be so difficult to pin down?

The New York Times - Health

It's difficult to pin down the current state of Bloc Party.

Independent

The work can be difficult to pin down, hard to define.

The New York Times

That makes it difficult to pin down but also makes it really exciting".

The Guardian - Tech

He was very difficult to pin down, but you see that in his paintings.

The Guardian - Arts

He was difficult to pin down, even for his brief appearances.

The Guardian - Film

Scheindlin, 57, can be difficult to pin down, some lawyers said.

The New York Times - Sports

It's music that's thrillingly difficult to pin down to a time and place.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, consider backing up the statement that something is "difficult to pin down" with evidence or examples that illustrate the ambiguity or complexity.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to pin down" as a vague placeholder. Instead, clearly specify what makes the subject challenging to define or ascertain. General use can diminish the phrase's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to pin down" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is challenging to define or understand with precision. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a usable and correct expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

27%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to pin down" is a frequently used phrase, categorized as grammatically correct by Ludwig, that expresses the challenge of defining or understanding something precisely. It appears most commonly in news, science, and wiki contexts. To use it effectively, ensure the specific aspect that is challenging is clear. Alternative phrases include "hard to define" or "challenging to ascertain". Remember to provide context and avoid overuse to maximize its impact. The phrase is useful across both formal and informal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to define

Focuses on the struggle to establish a clear definition.

challenging to ascertain

Highlights the difficulty in finding something out for certain.

elusive to grasp

Emphasizes the quality of being hard to catch or understand.

hard to get a handle on

Suggests difficulty in gaining control or understanding.

resistant to clarification

Implies a subject that actively avoids being made clear.

tough to determine

Focuses on the difficulty in coming to a firm decision or conclusion.

not easy to specify

Highlights the lack of precision or detail possible.

difficult to categorize

Focuses on the problem of assigning something to a specific group or classification.

vague and indefinite

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and distinctness.

subject to interpretation

Highlights that the understanding may vary.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to pin down" in a sentence?

Use "difficult to pin down" when you want to express that something is hard to define, understand, or determine precisely. For example, "The exact cause of the economic downturn is "difficult to pin down"."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to pin down"?

You can use alternatives such as "hard to define", "challenging to ascertain", or "elusive to grasp", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "difficult to pin down" or "hard to pin down"?

Both "difficult to pin down" and "hard to pin down" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, although "difficult" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "hard".

What does it mean when something is "difficult to pin down"?

When something is described as "difficult to pin down", it means that it lacks a clear definition or explanation. It may be ambiguous, complex, or subject to varying interpretations.