tight margins

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tight margins" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to finance, business, or production, referring to situations where there is little difference between costs and revenues, or limited room for error. Example: "The company is operating on tight margins, making it crucial to control expenses and increase efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The opposition lost dozens of seats by tight margins.

The New York Times

Yet Ms. Rodham's words are neatly contained between tight margins.

The New York Times

Improvising and working on very tight margins is second nature.

Harvard Business Review

The discipline of tight margins never left him.

Harvard Business Review

The concert industry is based on tight margins.

The New York Times - Arts

The tight margins being faced drive us to think first of controlling costs.

Cornell University

She specialises in unblocking bed "bottlenecks" and deals in tight margins.

The Guardian

At no more than £6 a serving, these traders work on very tight margins.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Farms run on tight margins; they don't casually waste their crops.

The Washington Post

With our small budget and tight margins, neither were possible for the app release.

The New York Times

In a league of such tight margins that sort of inaccuracy rarely goes unpunished.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial performance or operational constraints, use "tight margins" to clearly convey limited profitability or flexibility.

Common error

Avoid using "tight margins" when you mean a lack of precision or accuracy. The phrase primarily refers to financial or operational contexts with limited room for error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tight margins" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes a situation characterized by very little difference between costs and revenues, as seen in Ludwig's examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tight margins" is a common and grammatically correct expression used primarily in business, finance, and operational contexts to describe situations with limited profitability or flexibility. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used across various sources, including news media, scientific publications, and business reports. Alternatives such as ""slim margins"" or ""narrow margins"" can be used depending on the specific context. When using "tight margins", ensure it aligns with financial or operational discussions, avoiding its misapplication in contexts requiring precision or accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim margins

Replaces "tight" with "slim", indicating a small difference or allowance.

narrow margins

Substitutes "tight" with "narrow", suggesting a limited space or extent.

thin margins

Uses "thin" instead of "tight", emphasizing a lack of substance or thickness.

low profit margins

Directly states that the profit margins are low.

small profit margins

A more descriptive term to convey low profitability.

meager profits

Focuses on the profit aspect, highlighting the small amount of earnings.

razor-thin profits

Emphasizes how extremely small the profits are.

reduced profit margins

Specifies that profit margins have been reduced.

minimal leeway

Shifts focus to the lack of flexibility or room for error.

limited room for error

Highlights the constraint on making mistakes.

FAQs

How can I use "tight margins" in a sentence?

You can use "tight margins" to describe a situation where there is little room for error or profit, such as: "The company is operating on "tight margins" due to increased competition."

What are some alternatives to "tight margins"?

Alternatives include "slim margins", "narrow margins", or "low profit margins", depending on the specific context.

Is "tight margins" grammatically correct?

Yes, "tight margins" is grammatically correct and widely used in business, finance, and other fields to describe limited profitability or flexibility.

What does "tight margins" mean in a business context?

In a business context, "tight margins" refers to a situation where the difference between revenue and costs is small, leaving little room for unexpected expenses or reduced income.