under distress

USAGE SUMMARY

"under distress" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person or situation that is undergoing very difficult circumstances. For example: "The refugees had to flee their homes under distress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But it's really only under distress or opportunism.

The New York Times

Further, restaurant business assets are viewed as highly illiquid if sold under distress conditions.

Harvard Business Review

Ms. Sharon and her father said they signed a waiver under distress and did not understand what they were signing.

The New York Times

Bazelon argues that this can also lead us to focus on the wrong features of the situation that are actually placing a child under distress.

University of California, Berkeley

A press release said one of the victims had been under distress on the way to the hospital and was later pronounced dead.

The New York Times

Now back on the job and looking at those bodies, he understands how difficult it is to be the master of one's emotions when under distress.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The latter consists of companies that are still operating the market under financial distress and companies that exited the market while they were financially distressed.

SERIEs

"The moment they knew she was under medical distress, they made every effort to try and save her life," including performing CPR, Sergeant Hill said.

The New York Times

In this paper we study firm dynamics and industry equilibrium when firms under financial distress face a non-trivial choice between alternative bankruptcy procedures.

Review of Economic Dynamics

Oil importing states, on the other hand, followed this development very closely as they turned to abundantly capitalized oil funds to rescue companies that came under severe distress from the global credit crunch that began in 2008.

Stanford University

"We talk about the number of people who might have lost their care, but behind each of those numbers is a family under severe distress wondering how we're going to handle this next.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under distress", ensure the context clearly indicates the source or cause of the distress. For example, specify whether it's financial, emotional, or physical distress for better clarity.

Common error

While "under distress" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced alternatives like "experiencing significant hardship" or "facing acute adversity" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under distress" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or verb, indicating the condition or state in which someone or something exists. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under distress" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase indicating a state of suffering or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is found across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, consider specifying the type of distress for clarity and avoid overuse in excessively formal writing. Related phrases include "in a state of suffering" and "experiencing hardship".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a state of suffering

Focuses on the condition of suffering, emphasizing the experience of pain or hardship.

experiencing hardship

Highlights the difficulties being faced, suggesting a prolonged period of adversity.

in dire straits

Implies a very difficult or dangerous situation, often with limited options for escape.

facing adversity

Emphasizes the act of confronting challenging circumstances.

in a difficult situation

A more general term, indicating challenges or problems being faced.

in a crisis

Indicates a critical or urgent situation demanding immediate attention.

under pressure

Highlights the stress and strain being experienced, often from external forces.

in a bind

Indicates a difficult situation where one is trapped or restricted.

in trouble

A more informal term, suggesting difficulties or problems.

going through a rough patch

Suggests a temporary period of difficulty or hardship.

FAQs

What does "under distress" mean?

The phrase "under distress" means experiencing significant suffering, hardship, or difficulty. It can refer to emotional, physical, or financial strain.

What can I say instead of "under distress"?

You can use alternatives like "in a state of suffering", "experiencing hardship", or "in dire straits" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "under distress"?

Yes, "under distress" is a correct and usable phrase in written English. According to Ludwig, it is commonly used to describe a person or situation undergoing very difficult circumstances.

How to use "under distress" in a sentence?

You can use "under distress" to describe someone facing hardship: "The company was operating "under financial distress"." Or, "The refugees had to flee their homes "under distress"."