rough seas

USAGE SUMMARY

'rough seas' is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to describe a difficult or tumultuous situation. For example, you could write, "The team faced rough seas in their negotiations with their new partner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

7. KNOW WHEN TO PREPARE FOR ROUGH SEAS If your tablecloth is wet at dinner, you should prepare for rough seas.

Huffington Post

Rough seas on an export ship?

The New York Times

"Rough seas out there?" "Sometimes".

The New Yorker

It's worse in rough seas.

The New York Times - Magazine

What to expect: Rough seas at times.

The Guardian - Travel

The ship tossed in rough seas.

The New York Times - Style

Or do you see rough seas ahead?

The Guardian - Books

High winds and rough seas are less of a problem.

The Economist

It felt like being on a boat in rough seas".

Independent

Rough seas had delayed his dive about two weeks.

The New York Times - Science

In rough seas, however, there could be a problem.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rough seas" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly establishes the challenging or turbulent situation being described.

Common error

Avoid using "rough seas" literally when describing minor inconveniences; reserve it for genuinely challenging or precarious situations to maintain impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough seas" primarily functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It is often used as an adjective-noun combination. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase effectively characterizes a marine environment or, metaphorically, a difficult situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

28%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rough seas" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to describe turbulent marine conditions or, metaphorically, difficult situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable for use in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, as well as on Wikipedia. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, it effectively communicates the presence of challenges or adversity. When using this phrase, consider its figurative implications and ensure it appropriately reflects the severity of the situation. Alternatives such as "turbulent waters" or "stormy waters" can be used for a similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turbulent waters

Replaces 'seas' with a synonym, maintaining the image of disturbed water.

stormy waters

Similar to 'rough seas', emphasizing the presence of a storm.

choppy waters

Focuses on the uneven, agitated nature of the sea surface.

heavy seas

Highlights the large, powerful waves.

treacherous waters

Emphasizes the danger and difficulty posed by the seas.

violent waves

Shifts the focus to the waves themselves and their intensity.

unsettled seas

Suggests a state of disturbance and lack of calm.

agitated waters

Highlights the restless and disturbed state of the water.

tempestuous seas

Emphasizes the stormy and turbulent nature of the seas.

difficult straits

Uses a more figurative expression, implying troubles or hardships, not specifically sea-related.

FAQs

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

You can use "rough seas" to describe a literal maritime situation, such as "The ship struggled to navigate the rough seas". It can also be used metaphorically to describe a difficult period, such as "The company encountered rough seas during the economic downturn".

What can I say instead of "rough seas"?

You can use alternatives like "turbulent waters", "stormy waters", or "choppy waters" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "rough seas" in a business context?

Yes, "rough seas" can be used metaphorically in a business context to describe challenging or turbulent times. For example, "The startup navigated rough seas to finally achieve profitability".

What's the difference between "rough seas" and "stormy weather"?

"Rough seas" specifically refers to the condition of the ocean, while "stormy weather" is a broader term that includes various atmospheric conditions such as wind, rain, and lightning. While "stormy weather" can cause rough seas, the terms aren't interchangeable in all contexts.