tricky business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tricky business" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is complicated, difficult, or requires careful handling. Example: "Negotiating the contract was tricky business, as both parties had different expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Humor's a tricky business.

The New York Times

This is tricky business.

The New York Times - Arts

Reality is tricky business.

The New York Times - Arts

It is a tricky business.

The New York Times

Construction is a tricky business.

The New York Times

Well, that's a tricky business.

The Guardian

This is a tricky business.

The Guardian - Sport

Homecoming is a tricky business.

The New Yorker

Translation is a tricky business.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is, however, a tricky business.

The Economist

Characterizing Cézanne is a tricky business.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis, you can precede it with an adverb like "particularly" or "especially": "This is a particularly tricky business".

Common error

Avoid using "tricky business" as a vague placeholder. Be specific about what makes the situation tricky. For instance, instead of saying "Negotiating is a tricky business", explain "Negotiating international trade agreements is a tricky business due to differing regulatory standards".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tricky business" functions as a noun phrase, where "tricky" modifies the noun "business". It often serves as a subject complement or object complement, describing the nature of an activity or situation. As Ludwig shows, it's used in various contexts to denote something that requires careful navigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tricky business" is a common and acceptable way to describe a situation or task that is complex, difficult, or requires careful handling. Ludwig confirms that it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, but also in formal business and scientific settings. While grammatically sound, it's essential to use the phrase with specificity, avoiding vagueness about the source of the "trickiness". Alternatives like "delicate matter" or "complex situation" may offer more precision depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complex situation

Uses "complex" instead of "tricky" and "situation" instead of "business", focusing on the intricate nature of the problem.

delicate matter

Substitutes "tricky" with "delicate" and "business" with "matter", highlighting the need for careful handling.

challenging endeavor

Replaces "business" with "endeavor", emphasizing the effort required.

difficult task

Uses simpler terms, replacing "tricky" with "difficult" and "business" with "task".

complicated affair

Replaces "tricky" with "complicated" and "business" with "affair", suggesting a tangled or involved matter.

problematic undertaking

Replaces "tricky" with "problematic" and "business" with "undertaking", stressing the potential difficulties.

sticky situation

Employs the adjective "sticky" instead of "tricky" to describe the business.

sensitive issue

Changes "tricky" to "sensitive" and "business" to "issue", underlining the need for tact and care.

thorny issue

Uses the metaphor "thorny" to describe the difficulty, while replacing "business" with "issue".

awkward situation

Expresses the complexity of the situation with the adjective "awkward".

FAQs

What does "tricky business" mean?

"Tricky business" refers to a situation, task, or endeavor that is complicated, delicate, or difficult to handle, often requiring careful planning and skill.

What can I say instead of "tricky business"?

You can use alternatives like "delicate matter", "complex situation", or "challenging endeavor" depending on the context.

Is "tricky business" formal or informal?

"Tricky business" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language might be preferable in very formal settings.

How can I use "tricky business" in a sentence?

You might say, "Navigating the legal system is a tricky business", or "Starting a new company can be a tricky business, especially during an economic downturn".