for a rough time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a rough time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of difficulty or hardship that someone is experiencing or will experience. Example: "After losing his job, he knew he was in for a rough time financially."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Ministers admit that Nigeria is in for a rough time.

The Economist

We have had gadflies among us ever since, but one contemporary breed in particular has come in for a rough time of late: the "hacktivist".

The New York Times

Seeing Martis's gem helped make up for a rough time for Washington Manager Manny Acta, whose team has the majors' worst record, 6-17.

The New York Times

They will also be squeezed by technology, as more and more tasks are automated, reducing the relative advantage of cheap labour.Companies in the euro zone are in for a rough time, too.

The Economist

Traditional religious images of ourselves as God's creatures, or even of God, could be in for a rough time if we ever discover pond scum living by completely alien chemical rules on some moon or planet, let alone the Borg — the alien race ruled by a collective mind on "Star Trek" — inhabiting some distant realm.

The New York Times - Science

Equities are in for a rough time.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"It's kind of a rough time for everyone right now and this is such a blessing for us that these liquid finances just fall into our laps". They have set the date for their wedding as Oct. 23.

Los Angeles Times

The Lennar report, coupled with the release of existing-home-sales data for August, could lead to a rough time for housing-related companies.

Forbes

At the same time, the poet perennially has a smile and a candidly compassionate word for those who have had a rough time in life: for instace, a child who is better understood by his or her dog than by other people or a child who has no father to take to the school's Father's Day celebration.

Johns Hopkins University

Offering something you love to do (even something frivolous, like clothes shopping or a night at a comedy show) can create an authentic moment of joy or respite for someone going through a rough time.

Columbia University

Those who plan to go on to university have been told for years to expect a rough time: with so many students applying, winning admission to their college of choice will be a challenge.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a rough time" to describe situations where difficulties are expected to persist for a noticeable duration. For example, "The company is in "for a rough time" due to the economic downturn."

Common error

Avoid using "for a rough time" to describe very short-lived or momentary problems. Opt for phrases like "having a rough moment" for fleeting issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a rough time" functions as a prepositional phrase that often modifies a verb or noun, indicating a period or duration characterized by difficulty or hardship. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is indeed correct. Many examples are available in news and media, as showed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for a rough time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a period of expected or current difficulty. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct. While it's versatile, being used across diverse sources like news, academia, and wikis, its register is generally neutral. Therefore, in formal contexts, it may be wise to consider stronger or more precise alternatives. While "for a rough time" is useful, knowing its subtle nuances will help you use it most effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing a difficult period

Focuses on the experience of hardship rather than the time frame.

going through a hard phase

Emphasizes the process and temporary nature of the difficulty.

facing challenging circumstances

Highlights the external factors causing the difficulty.

in a period of adversity

More formal and emphasizes the state of facing misfortune.

enduring a tough situation

Stresses the act of withstanding a difficult set of events.

undergoing a trial

Implies a test of one's strength or resilience.

having a spell of bad luck

Attributes the difficulty to chance or misfortune.

navigating a thorny path

Uses a metaphor to describe the difficulty as a journey with obstacles.

contending with hardships

Focuses on the struggle against difficult conditions.

battling adversity

Presents the difficulty as a fight or struggle to overcome.

FAQs

How can I use "for a rough time" in a sentence?

Use "for a rough time" to describe a period when someone or something is expected to face difficulties. For example, "The company is in "for a rough time" due to increased competition".

What are some alternatives to saying "for a rough time"?

You can use phrases like "experiencing a difficult period", "going through a hard phase", or "facing challenging circumstances" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "for a rough time" in formal writing?

While "for a rough time" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "in a period of adversity" or "facing challenging circumstances" for professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "for a rough time" and "having a rough day"?

"For a rough time" indicates an extended period of difficulty, while "having a rough day" refers to a single day filled with problems. The former implies a longer duration of hardship.