hard to chew

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard to chew" is both correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something figuratively, usually indicating that it is difficult or challenging. For example, "The math problems on this test were so hard to chew."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Bit hard to chew.

Independent

A third showed rescuers a pocket full of sawdust, describing it as hard to chew.

The New York Times

However, they are hard to chew, so they are often soaked and cooked.

Independent

It was hard to chew and harder to swallow — stringy, fatty and coarsely meaty.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some diseases make it hard to chew, so puréed meals are needed.

The New York Times - Health

But sometimes the meat contains large pieces of gristle, which are hard to chew and difficult to swallow.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"Mattak" is a piece of whale skin with a strip of blubber inside that is said to taste like coconut only harder to chew.

Forbes

My favorites for salads are the single-petal varieties (I've found the double peony type to be harder to chew), including Purple Prince, Silver Dollar, Menton, and Yellow Flight.

Huffington Post

It could have Mother run one of her lighters up and down the outside of each piece and thrown them on the platter, or it might have been in a pan, cooked down to pieces so hard that they would give beef jerky a three legged race to the undertaker as to which was harder to chew.

Huffington Post

Ceramic bowls are sturdy and much harder to chew through.

WikiHow

Avoid taking large bites as this will make it harder to chew with a closed mouth.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to chew" metaphorically to describe complex or sensitive issues. For instance, "The details of the contract were hard to chew".

Common error

Avoid using "hard to chew" repeatedly in close proximity. Use synonyms like "tough", "difficult to masticate", or descriptive adjectives such as "rubbery" or "gristly" to vary your language and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to chew" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing the quality of something that makes it difficult to chew. It can also be used idiomatically to describe something that is difficult to understand or accept, as evidenced by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

33%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard to chew" is a common and versatile expression used both literally and figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. Literally, it describes food that requires significant effort to masticate. Figuratively, it signifies something challenging to understand or accept. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating a relatively informal register. Remember to vary your language by using synonyms like "tough", "difficult to masticate", or descriptive adjectives to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tough to chew

Substitutes 'hard' with 'tough', maintaining a similar level of informality.

challenging to chew

Replaces 'hard' with 'challenging', suggesting a more demanding experience.

gristly and tough

Describes specific textural qualities that make food hard to chew.

difficult to masticate

Replaces 'hard' with 'difficult' and 'chew' with the more formal 'masticate', increasing formality.

not easily chewed

Emphasizes the difficulty through a negative construction.

requires extensive chewing

Focuses on the amount of effort needed for chewing.

coarse in texture

Describes the quality that makes it hard to chew.

of a rubbery consistency

Focuses on the texture, implying it's not easy to break down.

firm and resistant

Highlights the physical properties contributing to chewing difficulty.

unyielding to the bite

Poetic way of saying that something is difficult to chew.

FAQs

How can I use "hard to chew" in a sentence?

You can use "hard to chew" literally to describe food, such as: "The steak was so tough it was "hard to chew"." You can also use it metaphorically to describe a difficult situation or idea, such as: "The implications of the new policy are "hard to chew"."

What can I say instead of "hard to chew"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to masticate", "tough to chew", or "challenging to chew" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "hard to chew" or "difficult to chew"?

Both ""hard to chew"" and "difficult to chew" are correct. The choice depends on the desired level of formality. "Hard" is more informal, while "difficult" is more formal.

When should I use ""hard to chew"" metaphorically?

Use ""hard to chew"" metaphorically when you want to convey that something is complex, challenging, or difficult to process or accept. For example, "The new evidence was "hard to chew" for those who supported the previous theory."