terribly tough

USAGE SUMMARY

"terribly tough" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is extremely challenging or difficult. For example: "The exam was terribly tough, and very few students passed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It's terribly tough.

The Guardian

Terribly brave and terribly tough.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The change in attitudes that tends to hold teachers responsible for absolutely everything is terribly tough.

The Guardian

"Our day job is terribly tough, you know, but we're rather good fun off the field".

The Guardian - Sport

Scrum-half Ben Youngs and Richard Wigglesworth and probably Danny Care go, although it's terribly tough on Joe Simpson.

The Guardian - Sport

If our government cannot address these terribly tough issues at a time when the public's attention is fully on them, when will we ever be able to?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Historically, the movie factories haven't been terribly afraid of tough economic times.

The New York Times

Ms. McCulloch's Lilac Fairy was stolid, Ms. McNally's Carabosse not terribly frightening (admittedly tough, when surrounded by four rather cartoonish fat rats).

The New York Times - Arts

"It is all just terribly sad and tough to sum up".

BBC

Such tough talk is not terribly surprising coming from a new leader who will not be inaugurated until August.

The New York Times

"It's terribly important that we be very tough-minded about doing things that work, not things that don't work, and about testing, challenging, claims," he told the executives.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly tough" to describe situations or objects that present a significant challenge or require considerable endurance. This phrase is more impactful than simply saying "tough".

Common error

While "terribly tough" is acceptable, be mindful of overusing "terribly" in formal writing. Consider stronger synonyms or more descriptive adjectives to maintain a professional tone. Formal context might require replacing the phrase with "extremely difficult" or "exceptionally demanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly tough" functions as an adjectival phrase, where "terribly" modifies the adjective "tough". Ludwig's AI suggests it describes something extremely challenging. Examples indicate its use in describing tasks, people, or objects that present significant difficulty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Food

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terribly tough" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to emphasize the degree of difficulty or resilience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing challenging situations, people, or objects. While slightly informal, it is common in news and media, and sport. Consider alternatives like "extremely difficult" or "incredibly challenging" for more formal contexts. Avoid overuse to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely difficult

Focuses on the high degree of difficulty.

incredibly challenging

Highlights the challenging aspect to an even greater extent.

exceptionally demanding

Emphasizes the high requirements and effort needed.

seriously arduous

Indicates a task that is strenuous and prolonged.

remarkably resilient

Shifts the focus to the ability to recover quickly from difficulties.

extraordinarily durable

Emphasizes the capacity to endure hardship or stress.

unusually robust

Highlights the strength and healthiness, capable of withstanding tough conditions.

particularly strong

Focuses on the power and resistance to external forces.

decidedly firm

Implies a solid and unwavering nature.

uncommonly sturdy

Emphasizes the reliable and strong construction.

FAQs

What does "terribly tough" mean?

The phrase "terribly tough" means extremely difficult, challenging, or resilient. The word "terribly" intensifies the adjective "tough" to emphasize the degree of difficulty or resilience.

How can I use "terribly tough" in a sentence?

You can use "terribly tough" to describe challenging situations, people, or objects. For example: "The exam was "terribly tough"" or "She is a "terribly tough" competitor".

Are there synonyms for "terribly tough"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "extremely difficult", "incredibly challenging", or "exceptionally demanding" depending on the context.

Is "terribly tough" formal or informal?

"Terribly tough" leans towards being slightly informal due to the intensifier "terribly". In formal contexts, consider using more precise and stronger adjectives to convey the same meaning, such as "exceptionally demanding" or "seriously arduous".