tough to accept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough to accept" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that is difficult for someone to come to terms with or acknowledge. Example: "The news of her departure was tough to accept for the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

"Tough to accept.

The New York Times - Sports

For the Pacers, the loss was tough to accept.

The New York Times - Sports

"It has been tough to accept this as my calling," Mr. Pagan said.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was tough to accept it," Hardaway said of the injuries that set him back.

The New York Times - Sports

That's easy to say if it's not your son; then it's tough to accept.

The New York Times

That's tough to accept, but it's something I've got to deal with".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

It is tougher to accept that he may be.

The Guardian - Sport

I honestly believe this one's the toughest to accept.

Huffington Post

That's a tough thing to say and even tougher to accept, but there it is.

Huffington Post

Some of the best lessons in life are also the toughest to accept and to adopt the right attitude toward.

Huffington Post

That claim is tough enough to accept on its face.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tough to accept", consider the perspective of the person or entity finding it difficult to accept. This can help provide context and depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using overly casual or colloquial alternatives in formal writing contexts. While phrases like "hard to swallow" might be acceptable in informal settings, stick to more neutral options like "difficult to come to terms with" or "challenging to acknowledge" in professional documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough to accept" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an infinitive. It describes the quality of an action (accepting something) as being difficult. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, fitting seamlessly into sentences expressing difficulty in acknowledging or coming to terms with something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

20%

General Discussions

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tough to accept" is a commonly used phrase that effectively conveys the difficulty in acknowledging or coming to terms with something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Found frequently in news and media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "difficult to come to terms with" or "hard to swallow", "tough to accept" provides a versatile and readily understood option for expressing resistance or emotional struggle in accepting a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to come to terms with

Replaces "tough" with "difficult" and uses the idiom "come to terms with" for a more descriptive expression of acceptance.

hard to swallow

Uses a more figurative expression, implying that something is unpleasant but must be accepted.

challenging to acknowledge

Focuses on the difficulty in acknowledging something, rather than accepting it.

unpleasant to concede

Emphasizes the negative feeling associated with having to admit something is true.

not easy to countenance

A more formal way of expressing that something is difficult to accept or allow.

demanding to embrace

Highlights the effort required to accept something, focusing on actively embracing it.

testing to internalize

Focuses on the struggle of making something a part of one's beliefs or understanding.

vexing to admit

Implies that admitting something causes distress or annoyance.

trying to stomach

Uses a more visceral metaphor, suggesting something is distasteful but must be endured.

bitter to take

Emphasizes the negative emotional experience of accepting something.

FAQs

What does "tough to accept" mean?

The phrase "tough to accept" means something is difficult to believe, understand, or come to terms with. It implies a degree of resistance or emotional difficulty in acknowledging a fact or situation.

What can I say instead of "tough to accept"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to come to terms with", "hard to swallow", or "challenging to acknowledge" depending on the context.

Is "tough to accept" formal or informal?

"Tough to accept" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and choose alternatives like "not easy to countenance" for more formal situations.

How to use "tough to accept" in a sentence?

You can use "tough to accept" to describe something that is difficult for someone to believe or accept. For example, "It was tough to accept that she was leaving the company."