hard to scrap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to scrap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult to discard, remove, or eliminate, often in a context related to materials or ideas. Example: "The project was hard to scrap because we had invested so much time and resources into it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It would be hard to scrap elections to the parliament now.

The Economist

The Catholic church in the country had fought hard to scrap the law; some see the court's decision as evidence of the church's waning influence.

The Economist

The financial impact on these folk would make it politically hard to scrap quotas overnight, say Dutch farm officials, even if it would help younger farmers, for whom quotas are a big disincentive.

The Economist

The Eagles' defense is a mess across the board — the linebackers are not good (and that's being especially exposed by the Wide 9), nobody is tackling well, only Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin are living up to their free agency hype — but it's hard to scrap an entire defensive system midstream and start over.

The New York Times

Major Wall Street banks, such as Citigroup Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co., handle the vast majority of derivatives transactions and lobbied hard to scrap the restrictions.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Last year, the passionate Argentine described Atletico as a working-class team who have to scrap hard for any success that comes their way.

BBC

"So we are not in the position we would like to be, but now is the moment to work hard for each other, to scrap for everything.

BBC

Don't be afraid to scrap all your hard work and planning and do it differently at the last minute.

The Guardian

Chair of the cross-party committee Andrew Miller said: "Ministers must think hard before they take the decision to scrap the census".

BBC

Especially after you've spent the last six months delicately honing your grooming routine to make the most of rough winter weather, it makes sense that you'd be hesitant to scrap all that hard work and start back at square one.

Huffington Post

And assuming that Mr Osborne does indeed unveil these tax statements tomorrow, it is hard to see any future government, of whatever political complexion, daring to scrap them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "hard to scrap", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being discarded or eliminated. For example, "It was hard to scrap the old car because of its sentimental value".

Common error

Avoid using "hard to scrap" when a more precise term like "difficult to repair" or "expensive to replace" better fits the situation. "Hard to scrap" implies something is challenging to eliminate, not necessarily fix or substitute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to scrap" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun. It describes the degree of difficulty associated with discarding or eliminating something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to scrap" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is difficult to discard or eliminate. As Ludwig AI explains, it is suitable for use in various contexts, primarily in news and media, and formal business settings. While not extremely common, the phrase effectively conveys the challenge associated with getting rid of something, often implying prior investment or emotional attachment. Alternative phrases such as "difficult to discard" or "challenging to eliminate" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to discard

Replaces "hard" with "difficult", providing a direct synonym while keeping the core structure.

not simple to scrap

Replaces "hard" with "not simple", emphasizing lack of ease.

challenging to eliminate

Substitutes both "hard" and "scrap" with synonyms, offering a slightly more formal tone.

tough to get rid of

Uses a more colloquial expression for "scrap", softening the tone.

not easy to abandon

Emphasizes the aspect of giving up or abandoning something, adding a layer of emotional weight.

hard to abolish

Specifically focuses on abolishing or formally ending something.

difficult to discontinue

Offers a more formal and business-oriented alternative, suitable for professional contexts.

tough to rescind

Highlights the act of revoking or canceling something, often a decision or policy.

it's a struggle to scrap

Expresses the action as a struggle or challenge, adding intensity.

formidable to scrap

Use "formidable" to express how strong or hard to eliminate or discard the object.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to scrap" to describe something that is difficult to get rid of or eliminate. For example, "It's "hard to scrap" a project after investing so much time and effort".

What's a more formal way to say "hard to scrap"?

A more formal alternative to "hard to scrap" is "difficult to discard" or "challenging to eliminate". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "hard to be scrapped"?

While grammatically understandable, "hard to be scrapped" is less common and sounds awkward. It's better to rephrase using ""hard to scrap"" or "difficult to discard".

What can I say instead of "hard to scrap" when referring to an idea?

When referring to an idea, you can use alternatives like "difficult to abandon", "challenging to dismiss", or "tough to reject", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.