impossible to get hold of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to get hold of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone or something that is very difficult to contact or reach. Example: "I tried calling her several times, but she was impossible to get hold of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"We had to buy them because it's impossible to get hold of eight matching beds like these".

The New York Times

More than 2m of the 2.5m tickets have been sold, and it seems impossible to get hold of the rest.

The Guardian - Opinion

He's almost impossible to get hold of at weekends and he is clearly very close to the extended Burnham clan.

The Guardian

Imported industrial components became impossible to get hold of, fuelling unemployment and inflation.Some non-Western states ignore the sanctions and continue to trade with Iran.

The Economist

Some flat owners may prefer to stick their head in the sand and overseas flat owners in cities such as London can be impossible to get hold of.

Independent

I've known Lali for a number of years, but her paintings are almost impossible to get hold of, because she only makes about eight canvases a year.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The problem is not that he cannot afford one, but that new cars are almost impossible to get hold off.

BBC

At that time, trying to get hold of a spokesperson for one of these companies was close to impossible.

The Guardian - Money

10.15am: Adam posts this Twitter exchange: @lefran @adamgabbatt I'm stuck in Japan for another 9 days, no news on hotel or food budget or anything....impossible to get hold of call centers!

The Guardian

To get hold of the game, you'll first need to get hold of a code.

Independent

- Researchers are difficult to get hold of.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impossible to get hold of", ensure the context clearly indicates what or whom is difficult to contact or obtain. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the object or person in question.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to get hold of" when "difficult" or "unlikely" would be more accurate. "Impossible" implies a complete lack of feasibility, so reserve it for truly unattainable situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to get hold of" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing something's (or someone's) inaccessibility or the extreme difficulty in contacting or obtaining it. Ludwig provides numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impossible to get hold of" is a common adjectival phrase used to express extreme difficulty in contacting someone or obtaining something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media, with some presence in science and wiki contexts. While versatile, it is important to use the phrase accurately, reserving it for genuinely unattainable situations. Consider alternatives like "unreachable" or "inaccessible" to better fit the nuance of your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unreachable

Focuses on the inability to contact someone.

inaccessible

Highlights the difficulty in reaching or obtaining something, whether physically or figuratively.

unattainable

Emphasizes the impossibility of achieving or acquiring something.

out of reach

Indicates something is beyond one's grasp or ability to obtain.

difficult to contact

Specifies the challenge in establishing communication.

cannot be reached

A passive construction emphasizing the inability to make contact.

hard to find

Focuses on the difficulty in locating something or someone.

beyond reach

Highlights the unobtainable nature of something, often implying a significant distance or barrier.

not available

Indicates the absence or unavailability of something.

unable to secure

Focuses on the inability to obtain or ensure something.

FAQs

How can I use "impossible to get hold of" in a sentence?

You can use "impossible to get hold of" to describe someone difficult to contact, as in, "During peak hours, customer service representatives are "impossible to get hold of"". It can also describe rare items that are hard to find.

What does "impossible to get hold of" mean?

The phrase "impossible to get hold of" describes someone or something that is very difficult or completely unattainable, either physically or through communication.

What are some alternatives to "impossible to get hold of"?

Alternatives include "unreachable", "inaccessible", or "unattainable", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "difficult to get hold of" or "impossible to get hold of"?

Use "difficult to get hold of" when something is challenging but still potentially achievable. Use "impossible to get hold of" when there is no reasonable chance of obtaining or contacting someone.