stiff margin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stiff margin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to finance, economics, or design, where it describes a margin that is rigid or not flexible. Example: "The report indicated a stiff margin for profit, making it difficult for the company to adjust its pricing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So they are continuing to flock to Queens, Brooklyn and New Jersey, where demand exceeds supply by a stiff margin, keeping rents buoyed up.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Senate Democrats have already proposed legislation that would impose stiffer margin requirements on energy trading.

The New York Times

But the clearing firms that deal with him are wary of the wild price climbs and are demanding stiffer margin requirements.

Forbes

And while NAND cost cuts were outpaced by a plunging market price for flash memories, they still staved a stiffer margins drop.

Forbes

It was found that the stiffer margins were not well consolidated by directly press forming after laying up the designed number of fabric in mold though the cross round part was smoothly consolidated.

Composite Technologies for 2020 Proceedings of the Fourth Asian–Australasian Conference on Composite Materials (ACCM 4)

But by now, it has become clear to companies that competition is very stiff and margins very thin in that business.

Forbes

Cadence, which in July posted disappointing second-quarter results and lowered its 2008 financial outlook, had said the acquisition is vital to speed up growth, with stiff competition squeezing margins.

The New York Times - Tech

That dealt a blow to a sector already struggling with thin margins, stiff competition and falling prices.

Huffington Post

This is known all too well by Craig Walsh, an entrepreneur whose Honolulu poi company (fresh poi, freeze-dried poi, poi muffins, poi crackers, poi bread, poi cheesecake, poi dog biscuits) closed last year, the victim of seasonal taro supply problems, low profit margins and stiff competition.

The New York Times - Food

Mitt Romney, who didn't seem much like a blue-collar guy, swept the votes of those working stiffs by a huge margin.

Los Angeles Times

But any challenger would face a stiff test given the dramatic margin of Corbyn's victory in September, especially among the tens of thousands of new party recruits enthused by his anti-austerity message.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stiff margin", ensure the context clearly indicates a rigid or inflexible boundary, limit, or difference, particularly in financial, economic, or competitive scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "stiff margin" when describing situations where flexibility or adaptability is present. The phrase implies a lack of maneuverability and should not be used interchangeably with terms suggesting adjustability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stiff margin" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "stiff" modifies the noun "margin". This construction typically describes a situation or condition characterized by a lack of flexibility or limited scope. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stiff margin" describes a limited or inflexible boundary and is considered grammatically correct. While less common, its usage is most prevalent in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for describing situations where flexibility is constrained. Related phrases include "tight margin" and "stringent margin", offering similar connotations. The phrase is generally appropriate for professional and neutral registers, conveying a sense of restriction in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stringent margin

Replaces "stiff" with "stringent", emphasizing strictness or rigor.

tight margin

Substitutes "stiff" with "tight", suggesting a narrow or restricted boundary.

tough margin

Replaces "stiff" with "tough", implying a difficult or challenging difference to overcome.

severe margin

Substitutes "stiff" with "severe", heightening the intensity of the limitation.

solid margin

Replaces "stiff" with "solid", emphasizing the strength of the boundary or difference.

stiff spread

Replaces "margin" with "spread", which is applicable mainly in financial contexts.

intense margin

Substitutes "stiff" with "intense", suggesting heightened impact.

hard margin

Replaces "stiff" with "hard", suggesting a difficult or challenging difference to overcome.

strong margin

Substitutes "stiff" with "strong", highlighting the power of the limit.

stiff limits

Replaces "margin" with "limits", changing to a more general term indicating restrictions.

FAQs

How can "stiff margin" be used in a sentence?

"Stiff margin" is used to describe a situation where there is not much space or flexibility. For example, "The company operated with a "stiff margin" for error due to budget constraints".

What phrases are similar to "stiff margin"?

Alternatives to "stiff margin" include "tight margin", "narrow margin", or "limited margin", each emphasizing a lack of flexibility or space.

When is it appropriate to use "stiff margin"?

Use "stiff margin" when you want to emphasize a lack of flexibility or room for error. It is suitable in contexts like finance, economics, or competition where small changes can have significant consequences.

What is the difference between "stiff margin" and "comfortable margin"?

"Stiff margin" implies a challenging or restrictive situation with little room for error, while "comfortable margin" suggests a more secure and flexible position with ample leeway.