tough to secure

USAGE SUMMARY

"tough to secure" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing something that is difficult to obtain or achieve. Example: "The funding for the project was tough to secure." Alternative expressions include "hard to obtain," "difficult to acquire," and "challenging to get."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Loans were tough to secure.

The New York Times - Food

Even so, Chesapeake's financial straits have made it tough to secure top-notch valuations for the properties it is flogging.

The New York Times

Rope-a-dope ReprintsThough Perth and North Perthshire is statistically the Tories' easiest gain in Scotland, Mr Lyburn may find it tough to secure even the relatively small swing of 1.7% he needs to win.

The Economist

In industries where it's tough to secure even unpaid work in the UK, it's easier to sign up to internships overseas – not least because you'll often pay for the privilege.

The Guardian - Travel

There are not many 3D projectors and screens in the world and there are various types of them and it is very expensive and tough to secure one! A. The soundtrack is a song called "Hey You" from a dear friend of mine, and probably my most favorite female singer in the world, Angela McCluskey!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But he will be expected to attend in person at next week's session and faces a tough battle to secure any time.

Independent

Greece needs more significant debt relief from its creditors, the head of the International Monetary Fund said, after the bankrupt country accepted tough conditions to secure its third bailout deal in five years.

The Guardian

This was a really tough gig to secure.

Huffington Post

This was a tough rezzie to secure, especially on such short notice.

Huffington Post

The deal would lay the groundwork for a yet-tougher negotiation to secure a long-term and comprehensive deal.

Los Angeles Times

While advocating a path to citizenship, a set of principles created by the Evangelical Immigration Table reflects conservative values, calling for tough enforcement measures to secure the borders.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough to secure" when referring to something that requires significant effort or faces substantial obstacles. It implies a challenging but attainable goal.

Common error

Avoid using "tough to secure" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "difficult", "challenging", or "hard" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough to secure" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It typically modifies a noun, indicating that something is difficult or challenging to obtain or achieve. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tough to secure" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to describe something difficult to obtain or achieve. While infrequent as seen by Ludwig AI, its usage is spread across news, media, and general contexts. When writing, be mindful of context and use alternatives where possible to avoid repetition. Remember its implies challenge to achieve an objective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to obtain

Emphasizes the challenge in getting or acquiring something.

hard to come by

Highlights the scarcity and difficulty in finding or obtaining something.

challenging to acquire

Focuses on the difficulty involved in the acquisition process.

not easily achieved

Stresses that success requires significant effort and isn't straightforward.

demanding to attain

Highlights the rigorous requirements to reach or secure something.

a struggle to procure

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty in acquiring something, suggesting a challenging process.

requires considerable effort to obtain

Highlights the significant dedication needed to get something.

not straightforward to guarantee

Highlights the level of effort needed to guarantee something.

taxing to finalize

Focuses on the demanding nature of bringing something to a final form.

onerous to ensure

Suggests a burdensome effort in making something certain.

FAQs

What does "tough to secure" mean?

"Tough to secure" means something is difficult to obtain, achieve, or guarantee. It implies significant effort or overcoming obstacles is needed.

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

You can use alternatives like "difficult to obtain", "hard to come by", or "challenging to acquire" depending on the context.

Is "tough to secure" formal or informal?

"Tough to secure" is generally considered neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly professional writing.

How do I use "tough to secure" in a sentence?

You can use "tough to secure" in sentences like: "Funding for the project was tough to secure" or "It was tough to secure a reservation at the popular restaurant".