tough luck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough luck" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express sympathy for someone else's misfortune. For example, you can say, "Oh, tough luck about your job. I'm sorry to hear that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tough luck.

Princeton University

That's tough luck too.

The Economist

So tough luck".

The New York Times - Sports

If no, tough luck.

The New Yorker

Tough luck, loves.

The New Yorker

Oh, well, tough luck!

The New York Times

Boy, tough luck.

The Economist

"Tough match, tough luck.

Independent

Tough luck on them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tough luck, Laguna.

The Guardian - Music

Vettel replied: "Tough luck".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough luck" to express a lack of sympathy or a resigned acceptance of an unfortunate situation. It's suitable when direct sympathy isn't required or desired.

Common error

Avoid using "tough luck" when genuine empathy is needed. Its bluntness can be perceived as insensitive in contexts requiring emotional support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough luck" primarily functions as an interjection or a noun phrase. It's used to express sympathy, albeit often in a blunt or unsentimental way, or to indicate a resigned acceptance of an unfortunate situation. As Ludwig AI explains, it can express sympathy for someone else's misfortune.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tough luck" is a common phrase used to express a lack of sympathy or resigned acceptance of an unfortunate situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is grammatically correct and widely used. It functions as an interjection or noun phrase with an informal register, mostly found in news and media sources. While its bluntness can be useful in certain situations, remember to consider whether a more empathetic response is more appropriate. Consider alternative phrases like "that's too bad" or "that's a pity" when a more sympathetic tone is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad luck

Direct synonym, expressing the same sentiment of misfortune.

that's too bad

Common alternative, conveying regret about someone's misfortune.

that's the breaks

Acknowledges that bad things happen, often implying acceptance.

hard cheese

Informal British English equivalent, similar in meaning but different in register.

that's a pity

Softer expression of sympathy, less blunt than "tough luck".

what a shame

Expresses disappointment or regret, similar in tone to "that's a pity".

no such luck

Indicates the absence of good fortune or opportunity.

unfortunate

A more formal way of describing a situation that involves bad luck.

too bad, so sad

Informal and somewhat unsympathetic way of expressing indifference to someone's misfortune.

it can't be helped

Indicates that a situation is unchangeable and must be accepted.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough luck" to express a lack of sympathy or resignation about a bad situation, such as "You missed the deadline? "Tough luck", you'll have to try again next year".

What's a less blunt way to say "tough luck"?

Alternatives include "that's too bad", "that's a pity", or I'm sorry to hear that, which convey sympathy more gently.

When is it inappropriate to use "tough luck"?

It's best to avoid using "tough luck" in situations where someone is seeking emotional support or expressing deep distress, as it can come across as dismissive or uncaring.

What is the difference between "tough luck" and "bad luck"?

"Bad luck" is a general expression of misfortune. "Tough luck" implies a degree of unsympathetic acceptance or resignation regarding that misfortune.