tricky character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tricky character" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is difficult to understand or deal with, often due to their unpredictable or complex nature. Example: "He has always been a tricky character, making it hard for others to know what he really thinks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

GORDON: His was a very tricky character.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ibsen's Dr Stockmann is a tricky character.

The Guardian

But Losh is clearly a tricky character for a biographer.

The Guardian - Books

She was a tricky character in her own right, Auster realized after she died.

The New York Times - Books

Dad was a tricky character, because he was a charismatic guy when he wanted to be.

The Guardian

Blunt (not his real name) is a tricky character to pin down.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Leaving aside the potential problem of uniting men from different nations he has some tricky characters in his dressing room and Samuels may be the trickiest of the lot.

The Guardian - Sport

They are just two prickly, tricky characters who are less unhappy together than they would be apart and there's something moving in their tough disinclination to romanticise their lives.

The Guardian - Film

Pozzo is the least sympathetic and in some ways the trickiest character in "Godot".

The New York Times

For the past two decades, the only remaining founding member of Guns N' Roses has carved a niche as one of rock's trickiest characters, prone to onstage strops, tardy appearances, bust-ups with band mates and four-lettered outbursts.

Independent

According to Pike, who is given one of the trickiest characters in recent memory and pulls it off with an effortless aplomb, playing Amy was a lot of fun because of her multitudes and femininity.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In non-fiction, employ "tricky character" cautiously, ensuring your portrayal is balanced and avoids unsubstantiated accusations or generalizations.

Common error

Avoid relying on "tricky character" as a shorthand for complex character development. Instead, showcase their actions and motivations to reveal their nature, rather than simply labeling them as such.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tricky character" functions primarily as a descriptive term, characterizing an individual as complex, difficult to understand, or handle. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse contexts to denote complexity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tricky character" effectively describes someone with a complex, unpredictable, or difficult-to-understand nature. As confirmed by Ludwig, this characterization is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's best employed with caution to avoid oversimplification and ensure a balanced portrayal. Ludwig examples also suggest that synonyms like "difficult individual" or "complex personality" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult individual

Focuses on the problematic nature of the person.

complex personality

Emphasizes the intricate and layered nature of the person's character.

challenging person

Highlights the difficulties encountered when dealing with the individual.

complicated individual

Similar to complex personality but may suggest a more confusing nature.

unpredictable figure

Stresses the uncertain nature of the person's actions and reactions.

enigmatic person

Implies a mysterious and hard-to-fathom nature.

deceptive individual

Suggests a tendency towards dishonesty or misleading behavior.

slippery customer

Informal; suggests someone who is evasive or difficult to catch.

crafty type

Implies cleverness, cunning, and possibly manipulative behavior.

Machiavellian personality

Suggests someone who is cunning, scheming, and willing to use any means to achieve their goals.

FAQs

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

You can use "tricky character" to describe someone difficult to understand or deal with due to their complexities. For example, "The protagonist was a "tricky character", often making unpredictable decisions."

What are some alternatives to "tricky character"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "difficult individual", "complex personality", or "challenging person".

Is it appropriate to describe someone as a "tricky character" in a formal setting?

While generally acceptable, consider the connotations. In a formal setting, a less judgmental term like "complex individual" might be more suitable.

What makes a character "tricky"?

A "tricky character" often possesses traits such as unpredictability, hidden motives, or a tendency to create problems. Their actions might be difficult to anticipate, making them challenging to understand or interact with.