straddle the challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "straddle the challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of balancing or navigating between two opposing ideas or situations, particularly in a challenging context. Example: "In order to succeed in this project, we must learn to straddle the challenge of innovation while maintaining our core values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Berlin's mayor, Klaus Wowereit, tried like many of his elected colleagues to straddle the challenge of celebration and remembrance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's no small feat given the country straddles the challenges and opportunities of growing digital payments.

TechCrunch

And the challenge is even greater for products that straddle the digital-physical divide, even for formidable digital innovators like Google/Alphabet.

Journal of Organization Design

One of the challenges with Do Your Park has been to straddle the line between being humorous and overly offensive.

Huffington Post

Vodafone's report also points to regulatory challenges thrown up by m-health applications, which straddle the boundary between medical and telecommunications devices.

BBC

Mr. Obama's challenge is no different — it is perhaps even more acute — as he works to straddle the partisan divide that has grown deeper over the last eight years.

The New York Times

The two groups straddle the United States-Canadian border.

The New York Times - Science

You have to straddle the fence".

The Guardian - Film

Like the paintings, some of them straddle the seasons.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Obama, a progressive Democrat, still tries to straddle the line.

The New York Times

Both districts straddle the river; it does not separate them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "straddle the challenge", ensure that the context clearly defines the two opposing sides or aspects that are being balanced. For example, "The company must straddle the challenge of increasing profits while maintaining ethical practices".

Common error

Avoid using "straddle the challenge" when the situation only involves a single, straightforward problem. This phrase implies a balancing act between two distinct and often conflicting elements, not simply overcoming a difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "straddle the challenge" functions as a verb phrase where "straddle" is the verb, and "the challenge" is the direct object. It describes the act of managing or balancing a difficult situation, indicating an effort to deal with conflicting demands or opposing sides of a problem. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "straddle the challenge" effectively conveys the idea of navigating a complex situation requiring the careful balancing of opposing forces. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While grammatically sound and primarily found in News & Media contexts, it's essential to use it when indeed two opposing forces are to be balanced and that not a single, straightforward problem is present. Alternatives such as "navigate the obstacle" or "balance the difficulty" can be used to express similar concepts with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

balance the difficulty

Replaces "challenge" with "difficulty", focusing on the balancing aspect.

juggle the complexities

Uses "juggle" to emphasize managing multiple aspects of a challenge and "complexities" to specify the nature of the challenge.

navigate the obstacle

Replaces "challenge" with "obstacle", focusing on overcoming a hurdle.

manage the adversity

Emphasizes the hardship aspect of the challenge.

confront the problem

Focuses on directly addressing the challenge as a problem.

address the difficulty

Focuses on dealing with a difficult issue.

handle the predicament

Positions the challenge as a difficult or unpleasant situation.

maneuver through the hardship

Emphasizes skillful movement and navigation during a difficult experience.

mediate the tension

Focuses on resolving conflict or disagreement associated with the challenge.

negotiate the hurdle

Emphasizes a process of bargaining or discussion to overcome the obstacle.

FAQs

How can I use "straddle the challenge" in a sentence?

You can use "straddle the challenge" to describe situations where you need to balance conflicting demands or navigate opposing forces. For example, "The politician must "straddle the challenge" of appealing to both conservative and liberal voters".

What does it mean to "straddle the challenge"?

To "straddle the challenge" means to position oneself so as to deal with opposing sides or aspects of a difficult situation. It implies a need for balance and careful navigation.

What can I say instead of "straddle the challenge"?

You can use alternatives like "navigate the obstacle", "balance the difficulty", or "juggle the complexities" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "overcome the challenge" or "straddle the challenge"?

"Overcome the challenge" implies a complete resolution of the problem. "Straddle the challenge" suggests managing opposing forces or balancing conflicting demands without necessarily eliminating the challenge entirely. The better choice depends on the specific context.