rough hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or challenging period of time, often in a personal or emotional context. Example: "After a rough hour of dealing with customer complaints, I finally took a break to clear my head."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"And everyone would probably agree that at this point in my career that's a rough hour to get it on".

The New York Times - Arts

Suppressing inappropriate laughter while fretting over the future of the planet can make for a rough hour.

The New York Times - Arts

For some years, Daddy shuttled in and out of hospitals with angina, and heart attacks, and his young doctor confided to the widow that he "gave them all a rough hour" at the end.

The New Yorker

I will be back, too, despite agreeing with Mr. Greif, the n + 1 editor, who told me: "Whenever I'm invited to meet anyone in a hotel bar or lobby, it means I'm in for a rough hour, because it means my host has more money than sense".

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Farrah works rough hours and needs her late boyfriend's SSI to help support her daughter.

Huffington Post

A rough three hour drive from the capital of Southern Sudan, Juba, through grasslands grazed by long-horned cattle, Terekeka shows the damage that years of war have inflicted.

Unicef

Daily rushes would often last up to four hours, with scenes being done throughout 1999 2002 for the rough (4½ hours) assemblies of the films.

Wikipedia

Because after a rough 24 hours, things magically turn around.

The New York Times

The sea trip took a rough three hours.

The Guardian - Travel

"It's been a rough 24 hours for England," concludes Julia Kite.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm not feeling very good at the moment, I've had a pretty rough 24 hours," Wiggins said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events, consider using the phrase in contexts where the exact timing is important or adds to the drama. "After a "rough hour" of negotiations, the deal was finally sealed."

Common error

Avoid using "rough hour" to describe extended periods. The phrase specifically refers to a 60-minute interval, so using it for a day or even a few hours dilutes its meaning and creates confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough hour" functions as an adjective-noun combination, modifying "hour" with the adjective "rough". It is used to describe a specific 60-minute period characterized by difficulty, unpleasantness, or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough hour" is a concise and effective way to describe a challenging or difficult 60-minute period. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, it's important to use it appropriately, reserving it for situations where the timeframe is indeed a single hour. Alternatives like "difficult hour" or "tough hour" can be used for similar meanings. Although the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, and Formal & Business contexts, it maintains a generally neutral register suitable for a variety of communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult hour

Replaces "rough" with a direct synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

tough hour

Uses a more informal synonym for "rough", suggesting a challenging but manageable time.

trying hour

Emphasizes the stressful or testing nature of the hour.

unpleasant hour

Focuses on the disagreeable or displeasing aspects of the hour.

challenging hour

Highlights the demanding or testing nature of the hour, often requiring effort or skill.

hard hour

Implies a period marked by hardship or difficulty.

bad hour

A more general term indicating a negative or unfavorable experience during the hour.

troubled hour

Suggests a period of distress or difficulty.

rough patch

Shifts from a specific hour to a more general period of difficulty.

difficult time

Broadens the scope to a less defined period of hardship.

FAQs

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

You can use "rough hour" to describe a difficult or challenging 60-minute period. For instance, "After a "rough hour" of dealing with customer complaints, I finally took a break."

What can I say instead of "rough hour"?

Alternatives include "difficult hour", "tough hour", or "trying hour", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "rough hour" formal or informal?

The phrase "rough hour" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly toward informal due to the adjective "rough".

What's the difference between "rough hour" and "rough time"?

"Rough hour" refers to a specific 60-minute period, while "rough time" is a more general expression referring to an unspecified duration of difficulty.