hard to shake off

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard to shake off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is difficult to forget or let go of. Example: He had a bad experience that was hard to shake off.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's hard to shake off that below-stairs feeling.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yes, it's hard to shake off that curiosity.

The Guardian - Books

"It wasn't hard to shake off the rust," he said.

The New York Times

It will be hard to shake off the perception of occupation.

The Economist

Despite the absence of spray and surf it is hard to shake off the illusion.

Independent

Yes it was hard to shake off as I was doing it.

The New York Times

As the lack of bookies' odds indicates, it's hard to shake off the past.

The Guardian - Sport

The state has worked hard to shake off its tainted image.

The New York Times

It pounces on you when you least expect it, and it's so hard to shake off".

The Guardian

It must be hard to shake off playing a depressive all day.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Although that is hyperbole, it is hard to shake off the impression that her trial is politically motivated.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to shake off" to describe persistent feelings, impressions, or reputations that are difficult to dispel, particularly when emphasizing their lasting impact.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to shake off" in contexts where a more direct synonym like "difficult to remove" would be more appropriate. Reserve it for situations involving intangible things like feelings or reputations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to shake off" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes something that is difficult to be rid of or forgotten. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to shake off" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something difficult to forget or be rid of. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When writing, it’s important to use this phrase to describe persistent impressions rather than literal physical removal. Alternatives include "difficult to forget" and "tough to dispel".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to get rid of

Focuses on the act of removing something undesirable.

tough to dispel

Emphasizes the challenge in making something disappear or cease.

hard to forget

Highlights the difficulty in erasing something from memory.

difficult to dismiss

Stresses the challenge in rejecting or ignoring something.

tenacious

Describes something that clings firmly and is difficult to dislodge.

inescapable

Suggests something impossible to avoid or get away from.

hard to dislodge

Emphasizes the difficulty of moving or removing something.

persisting

Highlights the continuous existence or presence of something.

lingering

Implies something that stays around longer than expected.

difficult to overcome

Focuses on the challenge of surpassing or defeating something.

FAQs

How can I use "hard to shake off" in a sentence?

You can use "hard to shake off" to describe something that is difficult to forget or get rid of, such as "The feeling of unease was "difficult to shake off" after watching the horror movie".

What can I say instead of "hard to shake off"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to forget", "tough to dispel", or "difficult to dismiss" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "difficult to shake off" instead of "hard to shake off"?

Yes, "difficult to shake off" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "hard to shake off". They both convey the same meaning and are interchangeable in most contexts.

What kind of things are typically described as "hard to shake off"?

"Hard to shake off" is commonly used to describe feelings, impressions, reputations, or habits that are persistent and difficult to get rid of.