tough ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough ask" is a common and correct expression in written English.
It means a difficult or challenging request or demand that is being made. You can use it when someone is asking for something that is not easy to accomplish or achieve. Example: "I know it's a tough ask, but could you finish this project by tomorrow?" In this sentence, "tough ask" is used to acknowledge that the request being made may be difficult for the person being asked to fulfill.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a tough ask.

The Guardian

That's a tough ask.

The New York Times

This is a tough ask.

The Guardian

It could be a tough ask.

The Guardian - Sport

In other words, it's a tough ask.

The Guardian

But sustaining the VCSE sector is a tough ask.

The Guardian

"I think we will get into the 50s but it's a tough ask.

Independent

The authorities hope the site will attract 40m people.That may be a tough ask.

The Economist

Keeping your team's morale and spirits high is a tough ask.

The Guardian

I had about as good a run there as anybody, but it's still a tough ask.

The Guardian - Film

This is a really tough ask, especially when we are not trained at it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough ask" when you want to acknowledge the difficulty of a request or task without being overly negative. It's a balanced way to express that something will require significant effort.

Common error

While "tough ask" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "challenging request" or "demanding task" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough ask" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a predicate nominative or object complement. It describes the nature of a task or request, indicating that it is difficult or challenging. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts to express the demanding nature of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tough ask" is a commonly used phrase to describe a difficult or challenging request, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and frequently appears in news and sports contexts. While its usage is widespread, writers should be mindful of the register and opt for more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional settings. Related phrases like "difficult task" or "challenging request" can provide suitable substitutes. Understanding the nuances of "tough ask" helps ensure clear and contextually appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult task

Replaces "ask" with the more general term "task", focusing on the difficulty of the endeavor.

challenging request

Substitutes "tough" with "challenging" and "ask" with "request", offering a slightly more formal tone.

significant challenge

Highlights the importance and scale of the challenge involved.

tall order

An idiomatic expression that is similar in meaning, suggesting something difficult to achieve.

formidable challenge

Uses stronger terms like "formidable" and "challenge" to emphasize the difficulty.

no easy feat

Understates the difficulty, implying that the task is far from simple.

demanding endeavor

Replaces "ask" with "endeavor", highlighting the effort required.

uphill battle

An idiomatic expression indicating a difficult and prolonged struggle.

onerous undertaking

Employs more formal and intense language, emphasizing the burden of the task.

herculean task

References the mythical hero Hercules to emphasize the extreme difficulty of the task.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough ask" to describe a difficult request or challenge. For example: "I know it's a "tough ask", but could you please review this report by tomorrow?"

What's a more formal alternative to "tough ask"?

In more formal settings, consider using phrases like "challenging request", "demanding task", or "significant challenge".

Is "tough ask" appropriate for business communication?

It can be appropriate in some business contexts, especially when communicating with colleagues. However, for external communication or formal reports, a more formal alternative might be preferable, such as "difficult undertaking" or "complex matter".

What's the difference between "tough ask" and "tall order"?

Both phrases convey the idea of a difficult request, but "tall order" is more idiomatic and implies that the request might be nearly impossible to fulfill. "Tough ask" is a more direct and slightly less emphatic way of expressing difficulty.