easy to smuggle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easy to smuggle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing items or substances that can be transported illegally without detection. Example: "The small size and lightweight nature of the contraband made it easy to smuggle across the border."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Diamonds are small, precious, and easy to smuggle.

The Economist

A concealed bomb, she said, would remain easy to smuggle.

The New York Times

The simple answer is that it's both cheap and easy to smuggle in.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is sold in tiny, 20ml single-serving bottles, making it easy to smuggle a sample into any Thanksgiving meal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Counterfeiters are drawn to prescription drugs, in part, because their small size makes them easy to smuggle.

The New York Times

One of the main drivers of the illicit gold trade is the mineral's small size, which makes it is easy to smuggle across borders.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Either way, the proliferation of electronics has made it easier to smuggle bombs.

MIT Technology Review

Because it is sold as pills, Ecstasy is much easier to smuggle than heroin, cocaine or marijuana, the authorities say.

The New York Times

The refining makes the drug much easier to smuggle out into the supply lines to the West.

The New York Times

The bosses would swap bundles of single dollars at Atlantic City casinos for $100 bills, making the money easier to smuggle into Mexico, where it was banked.

The New York Times

Heroin is easier to smuggle but difficult to produce, and as detailed in court documents, Chapo is particularly proud of his organization's work with the drug.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing items that are "easy to smuggle", specify why they are easy to smuggle. For example, is it due to their size, shape, or lack of detectability?

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "easy to smuggle" without providing context. The ease of smuggling depends heavily on the specific item, the method of smuggling, and the security measures in place. Specify the conditions that make it easy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easy to smuggle" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (often implied), describing the characteristic of being easily transported illegally. Ludwig examples highlight this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "easy to smuggle" is a common descriptor used to characterize items that are readily transported illegally. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. Factors contributing to something being "easy to smuggle" often include its small size, ease of concealment, and low detectability. When using the phrase, it's best practice to provide specific details about why an item is considered "easy to smuggle" to avoid overgeneralizations. Related phrases like ""simple to traffic"" or ""readily concealed for transport"" can offer alternative ways to express this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple to traffic

Replaces "easy" with "simple" and "smuggle" with "traffic", emphasizing the straightforward nature of illegal transportation.

readily concealed for transport

Focuses on the ease of hiding the item during transport, highlighting the concealment aspect.

convenient to bootleg

Uses "convenient" instead of "easy" and "bootleg" for a more informal tone, implying illegal distribution.

effortlessly contraband

Combines "effortlessly" and "contraband" to emphasize the lack of difficulty in illegally moving goods.

easily slipped through customs

Specific to customs evasion, highlighting the bypassing of security measures.

transportable illicitly without detection

Rephrases to highlight the transport and lack of detection aspects of smuggling.

uncomplicated to sneak in

Uses "uncomplicated" and "sneak in" to suggest a simpler, less formal method of smuggling.

plain sailing to import illegally

Employs the idiom "plain sailing" to convey ease and "import illegally" to replace "smuggle".

a breeze to bring in undeclared

Utilizes "a breeze" to express ease and "undeclared" to highlight the avoidance of customs.

not difficult to ship unlawfully

Focuses on the lack of difficulty in shipping something illegally, using more formal language.

FAQs

What does "easy to smuggle" mean?

The phrase "easy to smuggle" refers to something that can be transported illegally across borders or into secure areas without much difficulty or risk of detection.

What makes something "easy to smuggle"?

Several factors can make something "easy to smuggle", including small size, being easily concealed, having low detectability, or exploiting vulnerabilities in security measures.

What are some synonyms for "easy to smuggle"?

Alternatives include "simple to traffic", "readily concealed for transport", or "uncomplicated to sneak in", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

How can I use "easy to smuggle" in a sentence?

Example: "The drug's concentrated form made it "easy to smuggle" across borders in small packages."