hard to impress

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard to impress" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom used to describe someone who is not easily swayed by things such as flattery, money, or other temptations. For example, you could say "She's so independent and strong-willed - she's hard to impress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

IT is hard to impress children.

The New York Times

The chef would have to work hard to impress me.

The New York Times - Travel

I'll have to try hard to impress once again.

The New York Times

You're still working as hard to impress 150 people.

The Guardian - Music

"But it feels like it's trying too hard to impress.

The New York Times - Travel

New readerships are fickle, promiscuous and hard to impress.

The Guardian

We are hard to impress and easy to bore.

The Guardian

It's hard to impress a movement that only knows what it is against.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Check out the full details -- and our panel of hard-to-impress judges -- at nytimes.com/magazine.

The New York Times

Conducting the hard-to-impress pros of the formidable New York Philharmonic is another matter.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet Michaels remains a notoriously hard-to-impress showrunner, who tirelessly trawls for new talent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's character, use "hard to impress" to convey their high standards and discernment. It suggests they are not easily swayed by superficial qualities.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "hard to impress" in close proximity. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony. Consider using synonyms like "discerning" or "critical" for similar concepts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to impress" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a characteristic of being difficult to please or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to impress" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes someone with high standards or a discerning nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across a variety of contexts, particularly in news media and informal settings. When using this phrase, remember that it conveys a sense of critical judgment and high expectations. While effective, avoid overuse by considering synonyms like "discerning" or "critical" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to impress

Replaces "hard" with "difficult", a direct synonym, with minimal semantic shift.

tough to impress

Substitutes "hard" with "tough", suggesting a resilient or unyielding nature.

not easily impressed

Uses a negative construction to convey the same meaning, focusing on the lack of ease.

unlikely to be impressed

Emphasizes the low probability of eliciting a positive reaction.

takes a lot to impress

Highlights the significant effort or quality required to gain approval.

hard to please

Shifts the focus from admiration to satisfaction, implying high standards.

difficult to satisfy

Similar to "hard to please", but emphasizes meeting expectations or needs.

not easily pleased

Similar to "not easily impressed" but refers to enjoyment or satisfaction.

critical eye

Focuses on having a discriminating perspective that expects high standards.

discerning taste

Implies refined judgment and selectivity, making it challenging to satisfy.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to impress" to describe someone with high standards, for example: "The critic is known for being "hard to impress", so a good review from him is a real accomplishment."

What are some alternatives to "hard to impress"?

Some alternatives include "difficult to impress", "not easily impressed", or "discerning" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "hard to impress" or "difficult to impress"?

Both "hard to impress" and "difficult to impress" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What does it mean when someone is "hard to impress"?

When someone is described as "hard to impress", it means they have high standards and are not easily influenced or pleased by ordinary things. They may be critical or have a discerning eye.