rough life

USAGE SUMMARY

'rough life' is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe a difficult or challenging life experience. Example: "Growing up in poverty, she had a rough life filled with struggles and hardships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rough life.

The New Yorker

(We know: rough life).

The Guardian - Books

For she had a rough life.

The New York Times

Talk about a rough life.

The Guardian - Tech

"I have had a very rough life.

The Guardian - Business

"She had a rough life throughout the years," he said.

Independent

It's a rough life out there for external drives.

The New York Times

A CITY street tree has a rough life.

The New York Times

"Even if it's a rough life, I have to fish".

The New York Times

AMTRAK, America's oft-maligned national passenger rail service, has had a rough life.

The Economist

"Oh, yeah, we get it, real rough life you've got there," he wrote.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "rough life" to succinctly convey a history of difficulties without being overly sentimental or dramatic.

Common error

Avoid using "rough life" as a vague descriptor. Without specific details, it can sound cliché and lack impact. Instead, focus on illustrating the specific struggles and hardships experienced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough life" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or complement within a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing a difficult or challenging existence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough life" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a difficult or challenging existence. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage. Analysis of the examples reveals its prevalence in News & Media, where it's used to succinctly convey hardship and adversity. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to use it with specific details to avoid sounding cliché. Alternatives such as "difficult existence" or "hard life" can be used for variety, but "rough life" remains a powerful and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult existence

Replaces "rough life" with synonyms to express the same hardship.

hard life

Uses a more common synonym for "rough" to convey the same meaning.

life of hardship

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the difficulties experienced.

challenging circumstances

Shifts focus to the circumstances contributing to the difficulty, instead of the life itself.

a life marked by adversity

More formal and emphasizes the presence of obstacles and challenges.

troubled past

Focuses specifically on past difficulties that have shaped someone's life.

struggle-filled journey

Uses a more metaphorical and evocative description of a difficult life.

unfortunate history

Highlights the negative events that have occurred in someone's life.

trying times

Refers to periods of difficulty rather than a sustained state of hardship.

stormy passage

Offers a metaphorical description focusing on the turbulence and difficulty of life.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone has had a "rough life"?

Saying someone has had a "rough life" generally means they've experienced significant hardships, difficulties, and challenges throughout their life. It implies a past filled with adversity.

What are some synonyms for "rough life"?

Alternatives include "difficult existence", "hard life", or "life of hardship", depending on the context and desired nuance.

How can I use the phrase "rough life" in a sentence?

You can use "rough life" to describe someone's past: "Despite his rough life, he remained optimistic." Or, you can use it to describe a situation: "Being a refugee is a rough life, filled with uncertainty and challenges."

Is "rough life" formal or informal?

"Rough life" is generally considered informal to neutral. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a life marked by adversity" or "challenging circumstances".