tough duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or difficult task or responsibility that someone has to undertake. Example: "Being the team leader during this project is a tough duty, but I am ready to take it on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"It's really not tough duty.

The New York Times

Josh Evans, a New York auctioneer at Leland's, said peddling an Oscar is tough duty.

The New York Times

"It was tough duty," Barber said, "but he'd always yell at me: 'Tiki, no one else is doing this.

The New York Times - Sports

When he began his military service recently, he landed a desk job.More and more people are finding ways to evade tough duty, or duty altogether.

The Economist

Even with Marine Corps training, he said, Afghanistan can be tough duty: "You are in 14,000-foot-high 14,000-foot-high 14,000-foot-highdays.

The New York Times

The site Better than Fudge served tough duty, transcribing the lyrics for the rewritten Pussycat Dolls song that opened the show.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Recent immigrants for the most part, they perform a tough, lonely duty that few native Americans want to do anymore — even those Americans who are perpetually out of work.

The New York Times

In 1997, the Commerce Department proposed tough antidumping duties against NEC, and the supercomputer was never bought.

The New York Times

There was a surge in revenues in March as buy-to-let investors rushed to beat the introduction of a tougher stamp-duty regime, and the chancellor would no doubt argue that the uncertainty caused by the referendum has led to a slowdown in growth in recent months, which has fed through into weaker tax receipts.

The Guardian - Business

The U.S. companies seeking tougher import duties argue that trade restrictions are needed to level the economic playing field and sustain American jobs, and have little to do with politics or Trump.

Los Angeles Times

The Steelers, on the other hand, never change: tough quarterback, heavy-duty running back, deadly linebackers, no-nonsense coach, 12 wins, now and forever.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough duty" to describe a responsibility that requires significant effort and resilience. It's suitable when you want to emphasize the difficulty involved.

Common error

Avoid using "tough duty" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise or sophisticated language depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough duty" functions as a noun phrase where "tough" modifies the noun "duty". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, denoting a challenging or difficult task.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tough duty" describes a demanding or difficult task, commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While grammatically sound, consider its slightly informal tone; in highly formal situations, alternatives like "demanding task" or "arduous responsibility" may be more appropriate. When using "tough duty", emphasize the effort and resilience required to fulfill the responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demanding task

Focuses on the demanding nature of the task.

challenging assignment

Emphasizes the challenge involved.

arduous responsibility

Highlights the difficulty and effort required.

onerous task

Stresses the burdensome aspect.

grueling chore

Emphasizes the exhausting nature.

taxing obligation

Focuses on the draining effect.

difficult undertaking

Highlights the complexity of the endeavor.

heavy burden

Emphasizes the weight of the responsibility.

strenuous job

Highlights the effort required.

formidable duty

Stresses the intimidating nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough duty" to describe a challenging or difficult task or responsibility. For example: "Being a soldier often involves "tough duty" in harsh conditions."

What are some alternatives to "tough duty"?

You can use alternatives like "demanding task", "challenging assignment", or "arduous responsibility" depending on the context.

Is "tough duty" considered formal or informal language?

"Tough duty" leans towards the informal side. In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "arduous responsibility" or "demanding task".

What makes a "tough duty" different from a regular duty?

A "tough duty" implies that the task or responsibility is particularly challenging, difficult, or demanding compared to regular duties. It suggests that extra effort and resilience are required to fulfill it.