taut relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taut relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase can be used to describe a relationship that is strained or tense. For example, "The divorcees had a taut relationship, with neither of them wanting to compromise on anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The project would be Mendes's first proper action film – the director is best known for taut relationship dramas such as his 1999 debut American Beauty, for which he won the Oscars for best film and best director, and last year's Revolutionary Road.

The Guardian - Film

A taut relationship between willfulness and abandon comes into focus as care and recklessness strike just the right balance.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Anyone willing to trudge through 400-plus dense pages about abstruse concepts like "the taut, almost erotic relationship between product design and human physicality" might also hope to learn something about Roxy Music's career, if not the group's rock-star lives.

The New York Times - Books

Like most relationships, everything is taut and exciting at the beginning.

Vice

The tense discussion of Russia in the American election process makes it easy to see the future relationships as quite taut.

Huffington Post

What remained was a taut, two-act adventure yarn, bound by the relationships between Ahab and his conscientious first mate, Starbuck, and between the neophyte seaman Greenhorn (Melville's Ishmael, renamed with dramatic intent) and Queequeg, the noble-savage harpooner.

The New York Times - Arts

For the three 40-something women at the center of Kathryn Chetkovich's "She Said, She Said," a taut, quick-moving play about truth, lies and relationships, the personal remains fiercely political.

The New York Times

Louis, deadpan: "So how did it end up that you ended up killing your father?" Theroux pulled the emotional tightrope taut here, in a way we rarely see, and seemed to have an unusually intimate relationship with his subjects.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She evokes the physical atmosphere (the "lowing yaks" at base camp) as well as the strained relationships among the men as they encounter the rasping air at 27,000 feet, frost-nipped, taut as wire, sucking on gritty oxygen tubes.

The New York Times - Books

Skyfall is very much the former -- a taut, somber film which saddles Bond with a lot of childhood angst and offers an Oedipal drama in his relationship with Judi Dench's M. What's interesting is how the recession has tempered the usual excesses of the franchise with its serial explosions, gargantuan sets and flashing gadgetry.

Huffington Post

Tears, trembles, taut neck.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "taut relationship", provide context about the cause of the tension to enhance the reader's understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "taut relationship" simply to mean a close relationship. "Taut" implies tension or strain, not just proximity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taut relationship" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "taut" modifies the noun "relationship". Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples where it describes tense or strained connections.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taut relationship" effectively describes a connection marked by tension or strain. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, though its frequency is rare. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase serves to highlight unease or suppressed conflict between parties. While it carries a generally negative connotation, it can also imply a situation where tension is managed. Remember to provide context about the source of the tension to fully convey the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strained relations

Focuses on the condition of being strained, implying difficulty and potential for conflict.

tense connection

Highlights the presence of tension and unease in the link or bond between individuals or groups.

difficult dynamic

Emphasizes the problematic nature of the interaction and interplay between parties.

fraught partnership

Suggests the relationship is filled with anxiety, stress, and potential problems.

contentious association

Indicates that the relationship is marked by argument, disagreement, and dispute.

antagonistic bond

Highlights the presence of active opposition and hostility within the relationship.

uneasy alliance

Conveys a sense of discomfort and lack of trust in the cooperative agreement.

tumultuous entanglement

Emphasizes the chaotic, emotional, and disruptive nature of the involvement.

precarious accord

Suggests that the agreement or understanding is unstable and likely to collapse.

rocky association

Indicates the relationship has problems and difficulties.

FAQs

What does "taut relationship" mean?

A "taut relationship" signifies a relationship characterized by tension, strain, or suppressed conflict. It suggests a situation where there's underlying stress or unease between the involved parties.

How can I use "taut relationship" in a sentence?

You can use "taut relationship" to describe various scenarios. For example: "The ongoing legal battle created a "taut relationship" between the two companies."

What are some alternative phrases for "taut relationship"?

Alternatives include "strained relations", "tense connection", or "difficult dynamic", each emphasizing different aspects of the tension.

Is "taut relationship" always negative?

While generally negative, implying stress or unease, a "taut relationship" can sometimes describe a situation where the tension, though present, is controlled or managed, preventing outright conflict.