hard to swallow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to swallow" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an expression that means something is difficult to accept or believe. Example: The news of the company's bankruptcy was hard to swallow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's hard to swallow.

The New York Times

It is hard to swallow.

The New York Times - Sports

This sounds hard to swallow.

The New York Times

It might be hard to swallow.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a little hard to swallow.

The Economist

"I found it extremely hard to swallow".

The New York Times

"It's hard to swallow," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was really hard to swallow".

The New York Times

Vettel's hats are hard to swallow.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's hard to swallow — that's for sure," Pettitte said.

The New York Times - Sports

For some, those words are hard to swallow right now.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to swallow" when you want to express that something is not easily accepted, either because it is unpleasant, surprising, or unbelievable. For example, "The company's losses were hard to swallow after such a successful year."

Common error

Avoid using "hard to swallow" in literal contexts related to food or physical swallowing. The phrase is idiomatic and should be reserved for expressing difficulty in accepting ideas or situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to swallow" functions as an idiomatic expression. According to Ludwig AI, it conveys that something is difficult to accept or believe. Examples show it modifying news, facts, or situations that cause emotional or intellectual discomfort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

13%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to swallow" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe something difficult to accept or believe. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While versatile, it should be avoided in overly formal or literal contexts. Consider alternatives like "difficult to accept" or "tough to believe" for more formal situations. Its frequent usage and clear meaning make it a valuable addition to your expressive vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to accept

Focuses on the challenge of accepting something, rather than its believability.

tough to believe

Highlights the lack of credibility or plausibility.

hard to believe

Directly addresses the difficulty in finding something credible.

difficult to stomach

Uses a more visceral metaphor, suggesting disgust or revulsion.

unpalatable truth

Emphasizes that the statement is both true and unpleasant.

bitter pill to swallow

Highlights the unpleasantness and necessity of acceptance.

difficult to comprehend

Focuses on the cognitive challenge of understanding something.

stretches credulity

Indicates that something tests the limits of what one is willing to believe.

strains belief

Similar to "stretches credulity", but with a slightly different emphasis.

taxing on one's faith

Implies that something challenges one's deeply held beliefs or assumptions.

FAQs

What does "hard to swallow" mean?

The phrase "hard to swallow" is an idiom that means something is difficult to accept or believe, often because it's unpleasant or surprising.

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

You can use "hard to swallow" to describe news, facts, or situations that are difficult to accept. For example: "The fact that he lied was "hard to swallow"." or "The company's decision to cut salaries was "hard to swallow" for the employees."

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

You can use alternatives like "difficult to accept", "tough to believe", or "hard to believe" depending on the context.

Is "hard to swallow" formal or informal?

"Hard to swallow" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, avoid using it in very formal or academic writing. In such cases, a more direct phrase like "difficult to accept" may be more appropriate.