enough of a foe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enough of a foe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is sufficiently challenging or adversarial in a particular context. Example: "While he may not be the strongest opponent, he is enough of a foe to make the competition interesting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Cancer is enough of a foe to fight.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Father warned us of such a foe".

Wikipedia

Africans still think of America as a foe of colonialism.

The Economist

He was a lifelong defender of Joseph McCarthy and a foe of New Deal liberalism.

The New Yorker

Ms. Warren is considered a foe of Wall Street but a favorite of liberals.

The New York Times

"He was also a foe of dogs everywhere.

The New York Times - Books

But over the past decade they have increasingly faced a foe of a different kind.

The Economist

Rustin became a foe of racial segregation and a lifelong believer in pacifist agitation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By contrast, Mr. Khalid is seen as a foe of Pakistan.

The New York Times

The second is a setting for wandering in the presence of a friend and a foe.

Neural Networks

But Gandhi was hardly a foe of the West.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enough of a foe" to describe a challenging but not necessarily overwhelming opponent or problem. It suggests a level of difficulty that warrants attention and effort, but is still manageable.

Common error

Avoid using "enough of a foe" when the adversary is clearly dominant or poses an insurmountable challenge. It's best suited for situations where the outcome is uncertain and requires effort to overcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enough of a foe" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing the degree to which an opponent or challenge is adversarial. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The primary function is to qualify the noun as being sufficiently challenging.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "enough of a foe" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes something or someone that presents a sufficient challenge. According to Ludwig AI, it suggests that the opponent requires attention and effort to overcome, but is not necessarily overwhelming. It is most frequently used in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts and has a neutral to slightly formal tone. While it may not be the most common phrase, it serves as a precise way to convey a specific level of challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently challenging adversary

Replaces "enough of a foe" with more formal synonyms, focusing on the degree of challenge.

formidable opponent

Emphasizes the strength and capability of the adversary.

considerable adversary

Highlights the extent and importance of the adversarial challenge.

significant challenge

Shifts focus from the opponent to the challenge they present.

noteworthy antagonist

Indicates that the foe is worth paying attention to due to their strength.

serious contender

Suggests someone who is competing strongly and should be taken seriously.

worthy adversary

Implies respect for the opponent's abilities and the challenge they pose.

tough competitor

Focuses on the difficulty in competing against the individual.

no pushover

An informal way of saying that someone is not easily defeated.

a real threat

Highlights the potential danger or harm posed by the foe.

FAQs

How can I use "enough of a foe" in a sentence?

You can use "enough of a foe" to describe something challenging but not overwhelming, like "While he may not be the strongest opponent, he is enough of a foe to make the competition interesting".

What can I say instead of "enough of a foe"?

You can use alternatives like "formidable opponent", "significant challenge", or "worthy adversary" depending on the context.

Is "enough of a foe" formal or informal?

"Enough of a foe" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. More formal alternatives include "considerable adversary", while informal options might include "no pushover".

When is it appropriate to use "enough of a foe"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that something presents a sufficient challenge to require effort and attention but is not unbeatable or insurmountable. If the challenge is overwhelming, a phrase like "insurmountable obstacle" might be more suitable.