rough goodbye

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough goodbye" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a farewell that is difficult or emotional, often implying sadness or hardship in parting. Example: "As they stood at the train station, they shared a rough goodbye, knowing it would be a long time before they saw each other again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's a rough goodbye".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Cremation, which disposes of 72% of Britons, is cheaper, but not everyone wants it.In this section The long goodbye Rough ride Back on top Tory votes save Blair's bill Labour and its loans Public private partnership Full up Up in flames A ticking bomb Reprints Related items Cremation: Up in flamesMar 16th 2006Happily, the problem could be easily solved.

The Economist

It was really rough... still, it's the longest goodbye in television history, but it's been rough.

Huffington Post

Annie Lennox even pops up, resting her head against a rough castle wall, singing, "Every Time We Say Goodbye".

The New York Times

But he dutifully gave them a rough idea of what he had in mind, and then waved goodbye without particularly high expectations.

The New York Times

Goodbye, goodbye.

The New Yorker

Goodbye hinge, goodbye foot.

The New York Times - Magazine

Goodbye, Rémi, goodbye, Marie.

The New Yorker

So, goodbye.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sweetheart, goodbye!

The New Yorker

Goodbye Sophia.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and tone when using "rough goodbye", as it implies a degree of emotional intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "rough goodbye" for simple or casual goodbyes. This phrase is most effective when conveying genuine difficulty or sadness in parting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough goodbye" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "rough" modifies the noun "goodbye". It describes the nature or quality of the farewell, indicating it was difficult, emotional, or unpleasant. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough goodbye" is a grammatically sound and emotionally resonant way to describe a difficult farewell. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for use in written English, particularly in contexts where you want to emphasize the emotional hardship of parting. Although relatively infrequent in usage, "rough goodbye" effectively conveys sadness or reluctance. When aiming for precision, consider alternatives like "difficult farewell" or "hard parting" to capture subtle differences in meaning. While it's acceptable, be mindful of the emotional intensity it conveys, ensuring it aligns with the intended tone and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult farewell

Replaces "rough" with "difficult", focusing on the challenging nature of the parting.

hard parting

Uses "hard" to describe the separation, emphasizing the emotional strain.

painful farewell

Highlights the emotional distress caused by the goodbye.

tough goodbye

Synonymous replacement of 'rough' with 'tough'.

emotional parting

Focuses specifically on the emotional aspect of the separation.

bittersweet farewell

Acknowledges both sadness and perhaps a positive aspect to the goodbye.

sad farewell

Directly states the sadness associated with the parting.

wrenching goodbye

Emphasizes the feeling of being torn apart during the farewell.

unpleasant parting

Focuses on the negative experience of saying goodbye.

trying farewell

Highlights the challenging nature of the farewell experience.

FAQs

How can I use "rough goodbye" in a sentence?

You can use "rough goodbye" to describe a difficult or emotional farewell. For example, "After years of working together, their farewell was a "rough goodbye"".

What are some alternatives to saying "rough goodbye"?

Alternatives include "difficult farewell", "hard parting", or "emotional farewell", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "rough goodbye" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "rough goodbye" is more suitable for informal or narrative contexts. In formal writing, consider using more neutral phrases like "difficult departure" or "challenging farewell".

What makes a "rough goodbye" different from a regular goodbye?

A "rough goodbye" implies significant emotional distress, hardship, or difficulty in parting, whereas a regular goodbye is a simple expression of farewell without such heavy connotations.