draining hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "draining hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a time period that is exhausting or depleting, often in a metaphorical sense related to energy or emotions. Example: "After a draining hour of negotiations, we finally reached an agreement that satisfied both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For a draining hour she and the others had worked the tarp, stitched together from discarded billboards, up and over the structure, which for the moment resembled a Buckminster Fuller-designed jungle gym.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Over two emotionally draining hours Thursday, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden met, spoke with and embraced the families of the victims, as well as some of those who survived the nation's deadliest mass shooting at Pulse, an Orlando gay bar.

Los Angeles Times

Over two emotionally draining hours Thursday, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden met, spoke with and embraced the families of the victims, as well as some of those who survived the nation's deadliest mass shooting at Pulse, an Orlando gay bar.

Los Angeles Times

Liverpool's defeat, after two draining hours, effectively ends their season, and as talk of their manager's departure for Juvenuts continues, questions will now be raised as to whether Rafael Benitez has led his final European adventure at Anfield.

Independent

He had never reached these heights before and, as the Centre Court stood to him, utterly spent after four draining hours, they all knew they had witnessed the kind of "how-the-heck?" victory that can make sport so enthralling.

The Guardian - Sport

Djokovic, who has complained that his heavy schedule in 2007 left him exhausted, recovered in less than 20 hours from a draining three-hour semifinal.

The New York Times - Sports

Roast for about 4 1/2 hours, draining fat every hour.

The New York Times - Food

The final frame of the day's opening session between the pair had lasted a draining one hour, 16 minutes and 11 seconds – the longest in tournament history.

The Guardian - Sport

The cinema version of Lars Von Trier's new film Nymphomaniac may be a draining four hours long, and split into two halves for its release, but the full uncut film extends to a truly marathon five and a half hours.

The Guardian - Film

The same shoppers who steel themselves for a draining two-hour trawl round Carrefour will also drop in on the high-street butcher and pay top prices for a côte de boeuf.

The Economist

Despite the draining four-hour daily practice and trips at sunrise to weekend meets, he said, Mr. Tsarnaev maintained his academic record and proved a model of good sportsmanship and steady temperament.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "draining hour", ensure the context clearly establishes what made the hour so exhausting, either through direct description or strong implication.

Common error

Avoid using "draining hour" too frequently in your writing; overuse can diminish its impact. Instead, vary your language with synonyms or more descriptive phrases to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draining hour" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "draining" modifies the noun "hour". According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English, describing a period that is exhausting or depleting. The adjective 'draining' serves to qualify the specific type of 'hour' being experienced.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "draining hour" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe a period characterized by significant exhaustion, as confirmed by Ludwig. While less common than alternatives like "exhausting hour", it effectively conveys a sense of depletion. Its usage is mostly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki content, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's important to provide clear context about what made the hour so taxing. Keep in mind that overuse could diminish the expression's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhausting hour

Replaces "draining" with a synonym emphasizing the tiring nature of the hour.

tiring hour

Similar to 'exhausting hour', focuses on the weariness induced during the hour.

depleting hour

Highlights the loss of energy or resources during the hour.

grueling hour

Suggests a more severe level of hardship experienced during the hour.

arduous hour

Implies difficulty and effort required during the hour.

taxing hour

Focuses on the demanding nature and strain caused by the hour.

onerous hour

Emphasizes the burdensome or oppressive feeling associated with the hour.

challenging hour

Highlights the difficulties and tests faced during the hour.

difficult hour

A more general term indicating the problematic nature of the hour.

trying hour

Suggests that the hour was a test of patience or endurance.

FAQs

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

You can use "draining hour" to describe a period of time characterized by intense physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion. For example, "After a "draining hour" of negotiations, we finally reached an agreement."

What can I say instead of "draining hour"?

You can use alternatives like "exhausting hour", "tiring hour", or "grueling hour" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the difficult time.

Is "draining hour" a common phrase?

While "draining hour" is grammatically correct and understandable, it is not as common as some of its alternatives. Its usage might be more impactful in specific contexts where the imagery of 'draining' is particularly relevant.

What's the difference between "draining hour" and "difficult hour"?

"Draining hour" implies a loss of energy or resources, while "difficult hour" simply suggests that the time was challenging. The former carries a stronger sense of depletion and exhaustion.