sharp deadline

USAGE SUMMARY

"sharp deadline" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a hard and fast due date. For example, "We need to have this project finished by the sharp deadline of Friday at noon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It was incredibly complicated, because we had a sharp deadline and an evaporating budget," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

David Hillman, of the London-based Stamp Out Poverty and a leading player in the European campaign for a financial transaction tax, pointed out another major win coming out of the October 10 meeting: finance ministers committed to producing legislative text for the tax by December 6. "This gives a sharp, tight deadline for the remaining work to be completed," Hillman said.

Huffington Post

In another setback for the Japanese electronics giant, Sharp said it will miss a March 29 deadline for the second half of a $120 million investment from Qualcomm after failing to complete a plan to begin fabricating power-saving screens.

TechCrunch

If that deadline is not met, under current law a series of sharp tax increases and spending cuts will come into effect.

The New York Times

As executive producer Prentice Penny told Deadline, the second season will also give us a sharper look at Issa's old flame who, just like the show's star, is beginning to build a life of his own.

Vice

As Alvarez struggles with deadlines and attends literary functions, his judgements can be hilariously sharp, but the portrait of pragmatic hard work that emerges would be useful reading for many a tyro.

Independent

The emerging deal is a sharp contrast to previous occasions when House Republicans used the approach of a spending deadline to insist on deep spending cuts in exchange for their votes, once avoiding a shutdown by a matter of hours.

The New York Times

The emerging legislation stands in sharp contrast to previous occasions when House Republicans used the leverage of a spending deadline to insist on deep spending cuts in exchange for their votes.

The New York Times

With the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) drawing closer, leaders are putting child protection in sharper focus as the world looks to define the post-2015 development agenda.

Unicef

The visitors had started the game brightly, Chris Cohen playing a one-two with Sharp before firing straight at Jack Butland, now on loan with Blues after being sold to Stoke on transfer deadline day.

BBC

This week the matter has appeared in sharp focus again amid reports a campaign aimed at blocking change to the gender policy may succeed, as Wednesday's deadline for the postal ballot approached.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sharp deadline" when you want to emphasize the rigidity and lack of flexibility regarding a due date. It's particularly effective in project management, legal contexts, or situations where adherence to a timeline is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "sharp deadline" when you actually mean a "rough estimate" or a "flexible target". The adjective "sharp" implies precision and a lack of wiggle room, so ensure it aligns with the actual situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sharp deadline" functions as a noun phrase where "sharp" modifies the noun "deadline". It describes the nature of the deadline, emphasizing its rigidity and lack of flexibility. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sharp deadline" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable phrase used to emphasize the strict and inflexible nature of a deadline. While Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, the phrase appears less frequently, making it somewhat rare. It is most appropriate in professional or neutral settings where clarity and precision are essential, such as in business, news reporting, or project management. When using "sharp deadline", be sure that the context truly reflects a non-negotiable due date. Consider alternatives like "strict deadline" or "firm deadline" to ensure the message is accurately conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strict deadline

Replaces "sharp" with "strict" maintaining the emphasis on rigidity.

firm deadline

Substitutes "sharp" with "firm", suggesting a non-negotiable deadline.

tight deadline

Uses "tight" to indicate a deadline with very little flexibility.

hard deadline

Employs "hard" to underscore the inflexibility of the deadline.

uncompromising deadline

Replaces "sharp" with a more descriptive adjective, "uncompromising", stressing the lack of leeway.

inflexible deadline

Similar to "uncompromising deadline", but uses a different adjective with the same meaning.

critical deadline

Indicates that the deadline is of utmost importance and cannot be missed.

urgent deadline

Highlights the time-sensitive nature of the deadline.

immediate deadline

Conveys that the deadline is very soon.

non-negotiable deadline

Explicitly states that the deadline cannot be altered or extended.

FAQs

How can I use "sharp deadline" in a sentence?

You can use "sharp deadline" to emphasize the strictness of a due date, like in the sentence, "The project must be completed by the "sharp deadline" of next Friday."

What's a good alternative to "sharp deadline"?

Alternatives to "sharp deadline" include "strict deadline", "firm deadline", or "tight deadline", all conveying a similar sense of urgency and inflexibility.

Is "sharp deadline" a formal or informal phrase?

"Sharp deadline" is suitable for professional and neutral contexts. While not overly formal, it's precise and conveys a clear expectation.

What makes a deadline "sharp"?

A "sharp" deadline implies that there is no room for negotiation or extension. Meeting the "sharp deadline" is critical, and any delay could have significant consequences.