tough knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough knowledge" is not a standard expression in written English, but it can be understood in context.
You can use it when referring to difficult or challenging information that requires effort to understand or acquire. Example: "Gaining tough knowledge about the complexities of the legal system can be daunting for new law students."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This isn't to say that Shriver gives out gold stars just for showing up: her novels, far from dispensing with competition, welcome the tough knowledge that comes with both winning and losing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And tougher knowledge, too: human beings listen but they rarely hear.

Huffington Post

But when labor costs began to rise, competing globally in those sectors got tougher, so "knowledge-based industries were the way forward," Mr. Choi said.

The New York Times

Daphine describes that, "Life was tough having no knowledge of computers.

Huffington Post

When BeatBullying closed saying nothing to the outside world was difficult, but even tougher was the knowledge that our primary responsibility was now to creditors – not staff, or the children and young people who were were used to working to help.

The Guardian

Still, I struggled with parts of the puzzle, and found my solve — not necessarily the cluing, just gaps in my own knowledge — oddly tough.

The New York Times

But the long roll call of unfamiliar savants, presented in lightning-quick sketches, and the profusion of obscure Arabic texts make the historical section of "Dangerous Knowledge" occasionally tough going for anyone not familiar with the field.

The New York Times - Books

Interestingly, he mentioned Pakistan twice in 2009 but ignored it on Thursday -- even though Osama bin Laden was just found in that country, and officials there are currently facing tough questions about their knowledge of the al Qaeda leader's whereabouts.

Huffington Post

The young people in her tales frequently stumble across the perplexities and perversities of grown-up behavior, and their innocence gives way to a tough-minded or rueful knowledge of the contradictions of the human heart.

The New York Times - Books

But reform will involve tough choices made in the knowledge that the alternative is collapse.

The New York Times

The Wanderers face a tough trip west in the knowledge individual errors have cost the seventh-placed team two wins and a spot in the top four.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough knowledge" when you want to emphasize the difficulty or challenge involved in acquiring or applying certain information. Be mindful of the context, as it is not a standard or widely recognized phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "tough knowledge" excessively, as it can sound unnatural. Opt for more common alternatives like "difficult knowledge" or "challenging information" for clearer communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough knowledge" functions as an adjective-noun combination. The adjective "tough" modifies the noun "knowledge", indicating a quality of the knowledge being difficult, challenging, or requiring significant effort to acquire. As Ludwig AI suggests, while grammatically acceptable, it is not a standard expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tough knowledge" refers to knowledge that is difficult to acquire or understand. Although grammatically sound, Ludwig AI indicates it is not a very common expression. Alternatives such as "difficult knowledge" or "challenging information" are often preferred. When using "tough knowledge", be mindful of the context and audience, as overusing it can sound unnatural. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, often describing complex subjects. It is crucial to consider that the examples found by Ludwig suggest a low frequency of the expression, and it's acceptability depends on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging information

Replaces the adjective "tough" with "challenging", focusing on the difficulty aspect of the knowledge.

difficult knowledge

Uses "difficult" as a direct synonym for "tough", highlighting the effort required to understand or obtain the knowledge.

hard-won knowledge

Emphasizes the effort and struggle involved in acquiring the knowledge.

demanding knowledge

Focuses on the high requirements and expectations associated with the knowledge.

complex understanding

Shifts the focus from the difficulty to the intricacy and multifaceted nature of the knowledge.

profound insight

Highlights the depth and significance of the knowledge gained.

critical awareness

Emphasizes the importance of the knowledge in making informed judgments and decisions.

insightful knowledge

Focuses on the quality of the knowledge, highlighting its capacity to offer deep understanding.

specialized expertise

Refers to knowledge acquired through specific training, highlighting it's advanced learning.

advanced learning

Emphasizes that the knowledge is beyond the basic learning or fundamentals.

FAQs

What does "tough knowledge" mean?

"Tough knowledge" refers to information that is difficult to understand, acquire, or apply. It suggests that effort and persistence are required to master the subject matter.

What are some alternatives to "tough knowledge"?

Alternatives to "tough knowledge" include "difficult knowledge", "challenging information", or "hard-won knowledge". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "tough knowledge" a common phrase?

The phrase "tough knowledge" is not very common. While grammatically correct, it's less frequently used compared to alternatives like "difficult knowledge" or "challenging information".

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

You can use "tough knowledge" to describe a subject or area of study that requires significant effort to master. For example: "Gaining tough knowledge in quantum physics requires years of dedicated study".