treacherous time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "treacherous time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period characterized by danger, difficulty, or betrayal. Example: "We are living in a treacherous time where trust is hard to find and uncertainty looms over us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Ms. Poehler called it "a treacherous time".

The New York Times - Arts

"Whitney" is being relegated to Wednesdays at 8, a treacherous time period, having not held up in the best comedy time period NBC owns, Thursdays at 9 30 after "The Office".

The New York Times

So, how can you help your newly unemployed boyfriend or husband navigate this treacherous time?

Huffington Post

Middle school is a treacherous time for kids, but I didn't anticipate how tough it would be for a parent.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

These are treacherous times for women's reproductive rights and access to essential health care.

The New York Times

But the most treacherous times come when the world is cast in shades of gray.

The New York Times

But his new novel seeks to propel those characters forward into new and treacherous times.

The New York Times - Magazine

Few literary figures have lived through more interesting, or more treacherous, times.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. ElBaradei's first book, "The Age of Deception: Nuclear Diplomacy in Treacherous Times," will be published on April 26 by Metropolitan Books, an imprint of Henry Holt.

The New York Times

The Age of Deception: Nuclear Diplomacy in Treacherous Times is ElBaradei's examination of his years as director general of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency IAEAA), which saw him intimately involved in negotiations with North Korea, Iraq and Iran over weapons of mass destruction.

The Guardian - Books

Besides his virtues as a friend, Mouse was a shrewd and opportunistic criminal who knew how to navigate the streets in treacherous times, and there's no doubt that Easy could have used his counsel on dealing with the tensions churning up his Watts neighborhood when "Bad Boy Brawly Brown" opens in the winter of 1964.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "treacherous time", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the period dangerous or difficult. Providing specific examples enhances the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "treacherous time" too broadly. If the situation is merely inconvenient or mildly challenging, a more nuanced phrase is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "treacherous time" functions as a noun phrase, where "treacherous" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "time". It denotes a specific period marked by danger, difficulty, or betrayal, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "treacherous time" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a period characterized by danger or difficulty. Ludwig confirms its usability, although it's relatively rare compared to similar expressions. Its primary context is news and media, where it conveys a sense of perilousness. When using this phrase, ensure that the context justifies the strong connotation of danger and potential betrayal. Alternatives like "perilous period" or "difficult phase" may be more suitable for milder situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perilous period

Replaces "treacherous" with "perilous" focusing on the dangerous aspect, and "time" with "period".

difficult phase

Substitutes "treacherous" with "difficult" emphasizing hardship, and "time" with "phase".

turbulent era

Replaces "treacherous" with "turbulent" highlighting instability, and "time" with "era" for a grander scale.

precarious moment

Changes "treacherous" to "precarious" stressing insecurity and "time" to "moment" for a shorter duration.

risky juncture

Replaces "treacherous" with "risky", emphasizing danger, and "time" with "juncture" suggesting a critical point.

hazardous epoch

Substitutes "treacherous" with "hazardous", focusing on potential harm, and "time" with "epoch" for a more extended period.

testing times

Replaces "treacherous time" with a plural form emphasizing a period of challenges.

challenging period

Emphasizes difficulty by using the word "challenging" instead of "treacherous" and time with "period".

unstable moment

Highlights the lack of stability, replacing "treacherous" with "unstable" and time with "moment".

critical stage

Replaces "treacherous" with "critical", emphasizing importance and risk, and "time" with "stage" for a process-oriented view.

FAQs

How can I use "treacherous time" in a sentence?

You can use "treacherous time" to describe a period filled with danger, difficulty, or betrayal. For example, "Navigating the business world during that "treacherous time" required strategic alliances and careful decision-making."

What are some alternatives to saying "treacherous time"?

Alternatives include "perilous period", "difficult phase", or "turbulent era", each emphasizing different aspects of the difficult time.

Is "treacherous time" a commonly used phrase?

While grammatically correct, "treacherous time" is not as common as other similar phrases like "difficult times" or "challenging period". Ludwig confirms that the phrase "treacherous time" is usable in English.

What makes "treacherous time" different from "difficult time"?

"Treacherous time" implies a sense of danger and potential betrayal, while "difficult time" simply suggests hardship or challenges. The former carries a stronger connotation of risk and deception.