difficult to stomach

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to stomach" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe something unpleasant that one finds hard to accept. For example, "It was difficult to stomach the news that our company was being sold without our input or approval."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

But that's so difficult to stomach!

The Guardian

Much more difficult to stomach, though, is being called upon to do demonstrate "Blitz spirit".

The Guardian

The barrage of wilful misinformation and prejudice is difficult to stomach.

The Guardian

It is a great country but many attitudes can be unkind and difficult to stomach.

The Guardian

But it's difficult to stomach so many attacks on our culture.

The New Yorker

There is one last joke, however, that even Ripley might find difficult to stomach.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was hard to stomach and psychologically difficult to deal with".

The Guardian

The violence of "Oz" can be hard to stomach, and its characters difficult or impossible to like.

The New York Times - Arts

But the shocking retaliatory brutality, especially of the Libyan government, has rightly provoked outrage across the globe, and it is a difficult idea to stomach that for years the previous government sold defence equipment, like teargas and crowd control ammunition, to an unsuitable regime like Gaddafi's.

The Guardian - Opinion

We had to cope with going down to 10 men, which was a very difficult decision to stomach.

BBC

This somber-assed song is difficult enough to stomach as it is, but Joni's admission that it's her own fault makes it even worse.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to stomach" to express strong disapproval or aversion to an idea, situation, or action. It's suitable when something is morally, ethically, or aesthetically displeasing.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to stomach" for minor inconveniences or preferences. It's a strong phrase best reserved for situations causing significant discomfort or offense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to stomach" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness in written English. It serves to express strong disapproval or aversion towards something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to stomach" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to describe something unpleasant or unacceptable. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely used in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it conveys strong disapproval or aversion, indicating a situation or idea is hard to accept. While versatile, it's best reserved for significant discomfort rather than minor inconveniences. Alternatives like "hard to accept" or "unpalatable" can be used in more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to accept

Focuses on the challenge of accepting something, highlighting the mental or emotional effort required.

hard to swallow

Highlights the struggle to accept something, often implying disbelief or reluctance.

hard to accept

Focuses on the acceptance aspect, implying something is challenging to agree with or believe.

unpalatable

Emphasizes the distasteful nature of something, making it unpleasant to consider.

difficult to process

Emphasizes the mental effort required to understand or accept something.

hard to believe

Stresses the incredibility of something, making it challenging to trust or accept as true.

unpleasant to contemplate

Emphasizes the disagreeable nature of thinking about something.

hard to countenance

Highlights the difficulty in tolerating or approving of something.

offensive to consider

Highlights the insulting or upsetting nature of something.

challenging to understand

Focuses on the difficulty in comprehending something, rather than the emotional reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to stomach" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to stomach" to describe something unpleasant or unacceptable. For example, "The company's decision to lay off employees was "difficult to stomach" for many."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to stomach"?

Alternatives include "hard to accept", "unpalatable", or "hard to swallow" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "difficult to stomach" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the formality of your writing. In highly formal contexts, a more neutral alternative like "hard to accept" might be preferable.

What makes something "difficult to stomach"?

Something is "difficult to stomach" when it's unpleasant, morally questionable, or hard to accept due to its negative implications. It often evokes a feeling of disgust or strong disapproval.