is difficult to please

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is difficult to please" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has high standards or is hard to satisfy in various contexts, such as personal relationships or customer service. Example: "My boss is difficult to please, no matter how hard I try to meet his expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She is difficult to please and we were in there for hours.

Independent

The UConn players know that their coach, Geno Auriemma, is difficult to please.

The New York Times - Sports

WILLIAM O. BEEMAN Minneapolis I agree that it is difficult to please both sides in the language used to report the news of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The New York Times

Someone who repeatedly gives low scores is likely going to be someone who is difficult to please.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

One's mentors are difficult to please.

The New York Times - Books

We're difficult to please.'.

BBC

The justification for this ranking is quite simple: machines are difficult to please.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Ka'yin Walker said Williams, who is called "Coach Kimmy," can also be difficult to please.

Los Angeles Times

I remember the faux joy I'd put on for clients who delighted in being difficult to please.

Vice

But you may give your nonvegan friends--not to mention the restaurant wait staff--the idea that vegans are difficult to please.

Huffington Post

Chances are some of those people will be bored whatever the occasion; some of those people are difficult to please; some of those people are tired; some of those people are distracted.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing customer service interactions, use "is difficult to please" to convey that a client has high expectations. Always be prepared to support that claim with factual examples or specific instances.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of the phrase "is difficult to please" in very casual conversations can sound overly formal or critical. In casual settings, simpler terms like "picky" or "hard to satisfy" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is difficult to please" functions as a descriptive predicate adjective, characterizing a subject as challenging to satisfy. Ludwig AI indicates that this usage is grammatically correct and understandable across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is difficult to please" accurately describes someone with high standards. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not overly common, the phrase appears across diverse sources, including news media, science, and wiki content. The phrase functions as a descriptive adjective, conveying that a person or entity has high standards, making them challenging to satisfy. Alternative expressions such as "is hard to satisfy" or "has high standards" may be more appropriate in casual settings. Use this phrase to set clear expectation of the high requirements needed to satisfy a person or entity. While grammatically sound, remember not to overuse the phrase especially in casual settings, since it may come off as overly formal or critical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is hard to satisfy

Replaces "difficult" with "hard" maintaining the core meaning of struggling to meet expectations.

is not easily pleased

Emphasizes the lack of ease in bringing satisfaction, changing the structure slightly.

is challenging to satisfy

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging", highlighting the effort required to achieve satisfaction.

has high standards

Focuses on the reason why someone is difficult to please, citing their demanding criteria.

is demanding

A more direct way of describing someone who is not easily satisfied.

is exacting

Indicates a high level of precision and strictness in their requirements.

is picky

Suggests a high level of discrimination and choosiness.

is fastidious

Implies extreme attention to detail and a strong dislike of anything imperfect.

is critical

Highlights a tendency to find fault and express disapproval.

sets the bar high

Focuses on the elevated expectations someone has.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone is described as "difficult to please"?

When someone is described as "difficult to please", it means they have high standards and are not easily satisfied. They might have very specific preferences or expect a high level of quality.

What are some alternative ways to say "is difficult to please"?

You can use alternatives like "is hard to satisfy", "is not easily pleased", or "has high standards" depending on the context.

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

Both "difficult to please" and "hard to please" are correct and generally interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific tone you want to convey. "Difficult" might sound slightly more formal.

How can you deal with someone who "is difficult to please"?

Dealing with someone who "is difficult to please" often involves understanding their expectations, communicating clearly, and being patient. It can also help to focus on specific areas where you can meet their standards.