discover trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discover trouble" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to finding or encountering problems or difficulties in a situation. Example: "As we began the project, we started to discover trouble with the initial design plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The 23-year-old, like everyone else, struggles to explain the reason behind Collymore's uncanny ability to discover trouble but the winger's verdict on Fulham's decision to sign him is overwhelming.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sample overkill sentences, plucked from among many: "He always lived as if his pants were on fire"; "He was Harold Hill, the Music Man, discovering trouble right here in River City"; "He walked with the home-run hitters now".

The New York Times - Books

Be way overly cautious because you could become over confident and be discovered (big trouble).

WikiHow

Juliette sings a delightful song called "Trouble Is," and then, tellingly, we discover what the trouble is.

Huffington Post

Her last published novel, The Sea Family (1997), was a kind of return journey to the London of 1940, and went further back in time to the Victorian era as the heroine discovers troubled secrets in the pages of her grandmother's diary.

Independent

His liberatory aim created a revolutionary practice: the idea that patients could, through their own speech, discover what so troubled them and in turn, heal themselves.

The Guardian - Books

It would be easy to understand if they felt disposed to make a fresh start with this new talent rather than wait to discover what new troubles their old stand-by might come up with next.

Independent

Very few companies take the trouble to discover where the wood in their products originates.

The New Yorker

But it's worth taking the trouble to discover first-rate pieces amid the reams of pretty good ones.

The New Yorker

When I find my shoes, I discover that I have trouble putting them on, as if my feet had swelled during the time that I was elsewhere.

The New Yorker

"This has been an amazing education, certainly in our history, because we've gone to so much trouble to discover the role these cups played in our history," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "discover trouble" when you want to emphasize the act of finding or realizing existing problems, especially when those problems were previously hidden or unknown.

Common error

While "discover trouble" is acceptable, it might sound less formal than alternatives like "identify challenges" or "uncover issues", especially in business or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discover trouble" functions as a verb phrase where "discover" is the transitive verb and "trouble" is the direct object. It describes the action of finding or becoming aware of problems or difficulties. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discover trouble" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of finding or encountering problems. While deemed correct by Ludwig AI, its usage frequency is rare, making it less common than alternatives like "encounter difficulties" or "find problems". Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, its register is generally neutral, though it might benefit from more formal alternatives in business or academic settings. When emphasizing the act of uncovering previously hidden issues, "discover trouble" serves its purpose effectively. However, writers should consider context and audience to ensure the most appropriate tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encounter difficulties

Replaces "discover" with "encounter" and "trouble" with "difficulties", both implying the experience of facing problems.

find problems

Uses more direct synonyms for both "discover" and "trouble".

uncover issues

Implies a more investigative approach to finding problems.

detect complications

Suggests a more formal or technical context of finding trouble.

realize difficulties

Shifts the focus to becoming aware of existing problems.

identify challenges

Frames trouble as "challenges", suggesting opportunities for overcoming them.

notice problems

A more passive way of saying that problems are becoming apparent.

run into difficulties

Describes an unexpected encounter with problems.

stumble upon issues

Suggests accidentally finding problems.

become aware of problems

Highlights the gaining of knowledge about existing problems.

FAQs

How can I use "discover trouble" in a sentence?

You can use "discover trouble" to describe the act of encountering or identifying problems in a given situation. For instance: "As we investigated, we began to "discover trouble" with the original data set."

What are some alternatives to "discover trouble"?

Alternatives include "encounter difficulties", "find problems", or "uncover issues" depending on the specific context.

Is "discover trouble" formal or informal?

The phrase "discover trouble" leans towards the informal side. More formal alternatives include phrases like "identify challenges" or "detect complications".

When is it appropriate to use "discover trouble"?

It's appropriate to use "discover trouble" when you want to emphasize the finding of previously hidden or unknown problems. It works well in narratives or situations where the discovery process is important.