thorny work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thorny work" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means a difficult or challenging task. Example: "Writing a research paper is always thorny work, but it becomes even more challenging when the topic is unfamiliar to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Yet he sometimes missed the mark altogether, as with "The Fiery Angel," a thorny work in which he deeply invested himself.

The New York Times

On the surface, "Vixen" might seem a safer choice than "Le Grand Macabre," a bleakly comic, musically thorny work from the late 1970s that received its first American staging only in 2004, at the San Francisco Opera.

The New York Times - Arts

The program's weightier side included Shulamit Ran's "Mirage" (1990), a thorny work for the core Da Capo instrumentation that offered a good deal of graceful interplay between the instruments at its heart but that could probably profit by losing the sustained fingernails-on-a-blackboard string harmonics at the start and end.

The New York Times - Arts

Transdisciplinarity requires actors to engage actively in the messy and thorny work of overcoming difference and awkwardness whilst also drawing strength and value from the very existence of those differences (Demir 2008, 2011).

Human Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Miranda Cuckson has quickly become one of a handful of go-to musicians for chamber groups that need a violinist who can play thorny works with undeniable musicality.

The New York Times - Arts

And how cool is it that attendees at a free music festival turned out so eagerly to hear thorny works by Xenakis in Central Park?

The New York Times - Arts

The baritone John Hancock made thorny works like "Abraham and Isaac" and "Pribaoutki" alluring; the soprano Lei Xu sang with clear tone and diction in songs by Delage and Stravinsky.

The New York Times - Arts

Instead of imposing an overarching style, Joseph Rubenstein, the composer and pianist who runs the festival, seems to enjoy assembling programs in which harmonically thorny works, jazz-inspired scores and pieces that, if not entirely Minimalist, borrow from that style's technical arsenal, are offered side by side.

The New York Times - Arts

The thorniest work she played was Samuel Barber's 1949 Piano Sonata, the oldest work on the program and the only score by a composer no longer alive.

The New York Times - Arts

At least half the tracks sound as if they were written in MIA's customary battle-crouch, and the album's thorniest work, "Borders", inspired by the Syrian refugee crisis, was recently the subject of a mean little row between her and MTV.

The Guardian - Music

Much of the thorniest work done there was outsourced to a team led by Andrei Terekhov, the then-chairman of the Department of Informatics at the University of St . Petersburg

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thorny work", ensure the context clearly establishes the source of the difficulty. Is it due to complexity, ethical considerations, or conflicting interests?

Common error

Avoid using "thorny work" for everyday tasks. It's best reserved for situations involving significant challenges or complexities. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thorny work" functions as a noun phrase, where "thorny" modifies the noun "work". It describes a type of work characterized by difficulties and complexities, as seen in the Ludwig examples that refers to "thorny issues" too.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thorny work" is a phrase used to describe tasks or situations that are complex, difficult, and require careful handling. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, often within news and media contexts. Related phrases include "challenging task" and "difficult undertaking", and it's important to reserve its use for genuinely complex situations to avoid sounding pretentious. "Thorny work" suggests more than just difficulty; it implies intricacies and potential complications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging task

Focuses on the difficulty of the work.

difficult undertaking

Emphasizes the scale and complexity of the work.

complex assignment

Highlights the intricate nature of the work.

intricate task

Like "complex assignment", but puts more stress on details involved.

problematic endeavor

Emphasizes the potential for issues and complications.

demanding activity

Stresses the effort required.

laborious effort

Focuses on the hard work and dedication needed.

tough challenge

Highlights the resilience required to succeed.

sticky situation

Similar to "thorny work", but shifts focus to interpersonal dynamics that could be involved.

delicate matter

Emphasizes the need for careful handling and tact.

FAQs

How can I use "thorny work" in a sentence?

"Thorny work" refers to tasks or issues that are complex and difficult to resolve. For instance, "Negotiating the contract proved to be a thorny work, requiring careful consideration of all parties' interests."

What are some alternatives to "thorny work"?

You can use alternatives such as "challenging task", "difficult undertaking", or "complex assignment" depending on the specific context.

Is "thorny work" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "thorny work" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it's often found in news and media contexts discussing complex issues.

What makes "thorny work" different from a simply "difficult task"?

"Thorny work" implies not just difficulty, but also the presence of complexities, potential complications, and the need for careful handling, whereas "difficult task" is a more general term for something challenging.