tough emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough emotion" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to describe a strong or difficult feeling, but it may require additional context to clarify its meaning. Example: "After the breakup, she experienced a tough emotion that she struggled to articulate."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"This is a tough emotion after such a high, after one of the best moments of our lives.

The Guardian - Sport

"We are not sure of the outcome but he is very seriously ill and that's a tough emotion after going up to one of the best moments of our lives.

BBC

And for a vagabond like me, "Stuck" is a tough emotion to feel.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Dec. 5 — Misfortune of varying degrees forced the Knicks to revamp their starting lineup and their mind-set, and to push aside several days worth of tough emotions Wednesday.

The New York Times - Sports

McCall's sultry brand of illustration explores genuine thoughs about body image, creativity, and other tough emotions best solved with art.

Vice

Emotional health comes from being able to label, acknowledge and accept tough emotions, but also move forward from them without getting stuck.

Huffington Post

In the end, death is just very sad, and sadness is, I find, the toughest emotion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

-- C.A. Envy is one of the toughest emotions to deal with because it packs a two-fold punch.

Huffington Post

Sadness can be a one of the toughest emotions to feel, and to express, because we've learned that it is bad.

Huffington Post

Equally thoughtful are J. C. Lenochan's charcoal and watercolor paintings of found photographs of current events and personal snapshots, many of them tough images of emotion, terrorism, violence and exploitation.

The New York Times

Because we keep teaching little boys that to be a man means to be tough, hold his emotion inside, and hide moments of sadness, fear, and disappointment from the outside world.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional experiences, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Tough emotion" can be used to describe a feeling that is difficult to process or handle. Use it when you want to emphasize the challenging nature of the emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "tough emotion" as a generic descriptor for any negative feeling. Instead, select more precise terms like "grief", "anxiety", or "resentment" to accurately reflect the specific emotion and its intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough emotion" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "tough" ascribes a characteristic of difficulty or hardship to the noun "emotion". As noted by Ludwig AI, while understandable, it isn't the most common way to express difficulty in feelings.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tough emotion" describes a feeling that's difficult to handle. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI notes it's not the most common way to express this idea. It appears mostly in news and media contexts. Consider alternatives like "difficult feeling" or "intense feeling" to enhance clarity. To prevent overuse, choose specific emotion words like "grief" or "anxiety". Though understandable, this choice may sound somewhat awkward in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult feeling

Focuses on the challenging aspect of the emotion, rather than its intensity.

intense feeling

Highlights the strength of the emotion.

powerful emotion

Emphasizes the impact and influence of the emotion.

challenging emotion

Indicates the difficulty in dealing with the emotion.

complex emotion

Focuses on the multifaceted nature of the emotion.

overwhelming feeling

Describes the emotion as being too strong to manage.

taxing emotion

Highlights the draining effect of the emotion.

profound emotion

Indicates a deep and significant emotional experience.

unpleasant feeling

Focuses on the negative and disagreeable nature of the emotion.

painful feeling

Highlights the hurting or distressing aspect of the emotion.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough emotion" to describe a feeling that is difficult to process or handle. For example: "After the breakup, she experienced a tough emotion that she struggled to articulate."

What are some alternatives to "tough emotion"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult feeling", "intense feeling", or "powerful emotion" depending on the context.

Is "tough emotion" grammatically correct?

Yes, "tough emotion" is grammatically correct. It's a simple adjective-noun phrase, but it's not the most common way to express the idea of a difficult or intense feeling.

What's the difference between "tough emotion" and "strong emotion"?

"Tough emotion" implies a feeling that is difficult to deal with or process, while "strong emotion" simply indicates a high level of intensity. The nuance lies in the challenge versus the intensity of the feeling.