familiar trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "familiar trouble" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or problem that someone has encountered before and is therefore recognizable or known to them. Example: "Despite her best efforts to avoid it, she found herself facing familiar trouble once again in her personal life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But when it comes to other dynamic media like television and movies, the iPad is running into the familiar trouble.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Sophia Takal, writing and directing her first feature, has only immature ideas amateurishly executed to bring to her familiar troubled-couple-and-a-stranger setup.

The New York Times

Before Saturday's game, he sat in an unfamiliar room, wearing an unfamiliar uniform, staring at unfamiliar faces, discussing familiar troubles.

The New York Times - Sports

For her new world, Rowling has included more familiar troubles; Newt's world is closer to our own than Harry's was.

The Guardian - Books

A report by the Federal Reserve on Wednesday portrayed an economy that was making hesitant progress but still wrestling with familiar troubles: high unemployment, tepid spending by businesses and consumers, and deterioration in the commercial real estate market.

The New York Times

The director, Henry Wishcamper, orchestrates the confused traffic as best he can, but he has not been able to elicit performances that might add nuance or emotional truth to the play's formulaic characters and the sadly familiar troubles it considers.

The New York Times

Ironically, given the focus on Liverpool's attacking resources and how Suarez can be replaced, it was familiar troubles further back that were actually at the root of their downfall.

BBC

It's hard, for instance, to feel moved too deeply by what must be about his millionth rendition of the over-familiar "Trouble" (which is nonetheless a stone-cold classic).

Independent

Recent research commissioned by Scottish Women's Aid has identified the dramatic impact that domestic violence has on the outcomes for children in these situations, with high levels of anxiety, the loss of personal belongings and familiar surroundings, trouble sustaining friendships and missing long periods of school.

The Guardian

They fit a familiar pattern: trouble with weed while in school before age 16 or in their late teens and early 20s, but their habits taper off as they got older.

Vice

If you know people who have a gambling compulsion, or perhaps are such a person yourself, the outlines of Mr. Block's story may be familiar: Job troubles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "familiar trouble" when you want to convey that a problem or difficulty is not new or surprising; it has been encountered before. It can be effective in setting a tone of resignation or weary understanding.

Common error

Avoid overuse in professional writing where a more precise term might be preferred. Alternatives like "recurring issue" or "known difficulty" may sound less colloquial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "familiar trouble" functions as a noun phrase, where "familiar" modifies the noun "trouble". It identifies a known or recurring problem. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "familiar trouble" is a commonly used expression that denotes a recurring problem or difficulty. Grammatically sound, it serves to identify issues that are not new or surprising. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is generally correct and usable in a wide variety of contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media sources. When writing, consider replacing it with terms like "recurring issue" or "known difficulty" for greater precision in formal settings. The phrase's widespread recognition and contextual flexibility make it a valuable addition to one's lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recurring difficulty

Combines "recurring" and "difficulty" for a stronger emphasis on the repetitive nature of the problem.

recurring issue

Replaces "trouble" with a more neutral term, issue.

known difficulty

Substitutes "trouble" with "difficulty", emphasizing the challenging aspect.

well-known problem

Emphasizes that the problem is widely recognized.

common problem

Uses "problem" instead of "trouble", indicating a more general issue.

established issue

Highlights the long-standing nature of the problem.

typical predicament

Replaces both words, indicating a common and difficult situation.

usual hardship

Emphasizes the difficult and burdensome aspect of the situation.

customary difficulty

Indicates the problem is a matter of routine or habit.

predictable challenge

Suggests the trouble was anticipated or expected.

FAQs

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

You can use "familiar trouble" to describe recurring problems or difficulties. For example: "Despite the new management, the company soon faced "familiar trouble" with supply chain logistics."

What are some alternatives to "familiar trouble"?

Alternatives include "recurring issue", "known difficulty", or "common problem". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "familiar trouble" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, "familiar trouble" can sometimes sound informal. Consider the audience and context. In more formal settings, "recurring issue" or "established issue" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "familiar trouble" and "common problem"?

"Familiar trouble" implies a problem that has been experienced before, specifically by the person or entity involved. "Common problem" refers to an issue that is widespread and affects many people or organizations.