tough feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough feeling" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a strong and difficult emotion, such as sadness or frustration. For example, "After losing his job, David had a really tough feeling inside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"It's really just a tough feeling.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a tough feeling when you know the person outside of the court.

The Guardian - Sport

It's tough feeling that way when it's your first final in Australia and you're not sure you're going to be 100percentt.

The New York Times - Sports

But the room, intimate and lighted with zapping red lasers, has a sort of illicit, tough feeling that enhances the music.

The New York Times - Travel

"It's a tough feeling," Selanne said.

Los Angeles Times

The 'Stick was a symbol that despite the extraordinary diversity, liberal attitudes and cosmopolitan nature of San Francisco, it also had a tough feeling ballpark that was home to two teams.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I embrace him, worried, but thankful that he dares to share tough feelings with me.

Huffington Post

For your kids, as for you, the first step toward adjusting to the "new normal" is facing and working through the tough feelings associated with the changes and losses they're experiencing.

Huffington Post

They should see that you thought you were doing the right thing or that you were struggling with some tough feelings.

WikiHow

The rear is a tough-feeling vinyl or soft-touch plastic, depending on colour.

The Guardian - Tech

Tough cheese; no hard feelings; learn to like Peroni or fuck off to Margate.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional experiences, use "tough feeling" to convey a sense of difficulty or hardship. Be specific about the source or cause of the feeling to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "tough feeling" in overly casual or trivial situations. This phrase carries a weight of seriousness, so ensure it aligns with the gravity of the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough feeling" functions as a descriptor, modifying the noun "feeling" with the adjective "tough". It specifies the quality of the feeling, indicating it is difficult or challenging to experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and conveys a strong, difficult emotion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tough feeling" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe a challenging or difficult emotional experience. As Ludwig AI notes, it is primarily used to convey strong, often negative emotions. While the phrase isn't overly formal, avoid using it in overly casual conversations. When writing, consider related phrases such as "difficult sensation" or "unpleasant emotion" for subtle variations in meaning. It most frequently appears in news and media contexts, making it a suitable choice for journalistic or descriptive writing. Understanding these nuances will allow for more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult sensation

Replaces "tough" with "difficult" and "feeling" with "sensation", focusing on the challenging nature of the experience.

unpleasant emotion

Substitutes "tough" with "unpleasant" and "feeling" with "emotion", highlighting the negative aspect of the sentiment.

challenging sentiment

Replaces "tough" with "challenging" and "feeling" with "sentiment", emphasizing the demanding nature of the emotion.

harsh emotion

Uses "harsh" instead of "tough", which conveys a sense of severity in the emotion.

intense sensation

Replaces "tough" with "intense", focusing on the high degree of the sensation.

severe feeling

Substitutes "tough" with "severe", indicating the intensity and gravity of the feeling.

rough sensation

Uses "rough" in place of "tough", suggesting a coarse or unpleasant feeling.

uncomfortable feeling

Replaces "tough" with "uncomfortable", highlighting the uneasy nature of the feeling.

distressing emotion

Substitutes "tough" with "distressing", emphasizing the troubling aspect of the emotion.

trying experience

Rephrases the sentiment as an experience, highlighting the difficulty of the overall event rather than just the emotion.

FAQs

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

"Tough feeling" is used to describe a difficult or unpleasant emotional experience. For example, "After the loss, she was overwhelmed by a "tough feeling" of grief and sadness."

What are some alternatives to "tough feeling"?

Alternatives include "difficult sensation", "unpleasant emotion", or "challenging sentiment". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "tough feeling"?

Yes, "tough feeling" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a strong and difficult emotion.

What's the difference between "tough feeling" and "hard feeling"?

While both "tough feeling" and "hard feeling" can be used to describe unpleasant emotions, "tough feeling" typically implies a difficult or challenging emotional experience, whereas "hard feeling" often refers to resentment or animosity.