در ۱۵ ثانیه
- A choice that is difficult to make due to consequences.
- Commonly used with the verb 'make' or 'face'.
- Applicable to both professional and deeply personal situations.
معنی
This phrase describes a situation where you have to choose between two or more options, and none of them are easy. It is used when the right choice feels heavy or stressful.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Choosing between two job offers
I have two great offers, so it's going to be a tough decision.
I have two great offers, so it's going to be a tough decision.
Deciding whether to sell a family home
Selling the house was a tough decision for the whole family.
Selling the house was a tough decision for the whole family.
Texting a friend about a breakup
Ending things with him was such a tough decision, but it was time.
Ending things with him was such a tough decision, but it was time.
زمینه فرهنگی
In English-speaking corporate and personal cultures, 'tough decisions' are often framed as 'character-building' moments. The phrase became a staple of political and business rhetoric in the mid-20th century to signal strength and pragmatism. It suggests that the person making the choice is responsible and thoughtful rather than impulsive.
The 'Make' Rule
Always use 'make' with 'tough decision'. Saying 'I did a tough decision' is a common mistake that sounds very unnatural to native speakers.
The Softener
In the US and UK, managers often use 'tough decisions' as a code word for 'layoffs' or 'budget cuts' to sound more sympathetic.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- A choice that is difficult to make due to consequences.
- Commonly used with the verb 'make' or 'face'.
- Applicable to both professional and deeply personal situations.
What It Means
Imagine standing at a crossroads where every path looks difficult. That is a tough decision. It is more than just being indecisive about lunch. It implies a struggle. You are weighing pros and cons. You might feel a bit of pressure in your chest. It is a choice that has real consequences.
How To Use It
You usually pair this with verbs like make, face, or reach. You can say, "I had to make a tough decision." It works as a standalone noun phrase too. If a friend asks how your day was, you can sigh and say, "Just dealing with some tough decisions." It sounds natural and honest. Don't overthink the grammar; it is a very stable collocation.
When To Use It
Use it when the stakes are high. Use it at work when choosing between two job candidates. Use it in your personal life when deciding whether to move cities. It is perfect for those "adulting" moments. You can even use it for smaller things if you want to be slightly dramatic. Choosing between chocolate cake and a diet? That is a tough decision (and a relatable one).
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it for things that are truly trivial unless you are joking. If you take five seconds to pick a pen color, it is not a tough decision. Also, do not use it if the choice was easy but the task was hard. If you decided to run a marathon, the choice was simple; the running is what is tough. Keep it for the mental tug-of-war.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, being able to make a tough decision is seen as a sign of leadership. People value "decisiveness." However, we also love to complain about how hard choices are. It is a way to bond with others. By saying "it was a tough decision," you are asking for empathy. You are showing that you care about the outcome.
Common Variations
You might hear people say it was a hard call or a tough choice. These mean almost the exact same thing. If the decision is extremely difficult, you can call it a gut-wrenching decision. If you are stuck between two bad options, you might say you are between a rock and a hard place. But tough decision remains the most common, reliable version.
نکات کاربردی
This is a neutral-register collocation. It is safe for all environments. The only 'gotcha' is the verb choice—always prefer 'make' over 'do'.
The 'Make' Rule
Always use 'make' with 'tough decision'. Saying 'I did a tough decision' is a common mistake that sounds very unnatural to native speakers.
The Softener
In the US and UK, managers often use 'tough decisions' as a code word for 'layoffs' or 'budget cuts' to sound more sympathetic.
Don't Overuse
If you call every small choice a 'tough decision', people might think you are overly dramatic or struggle with basic tasks.
مثالها
6I have two great offers, so it's going to be a tough decision.
I have two great offers, so it's going to be a tough decision.
Shows the difficulty of choosing between two positive but mutually exclusive paths.
Selling the house was a tough decision for the whole family.
Selling the house was a tough decision for the whole family.
Highlights the emotional weight of the choice.
Ending things with him was such a tough decision, but it was time.
Ending things with him was such a tough decision, but it was time.
Casual but serious tone for personal sharing.
We had to make some tough decisions regarding the budget this year.
We had to make some tough decisions regarding the budget this year.
Formal use to soften the blow of bad news.
Cheesecake or brownies? Man, this is a tough decision!
Cheesecake or brownies? Man, this is a tough decision!
Hyperbole used for humor in a low-stakes situation.
I'm facing a tough decision and I really need your input.
I'm facing a tough decision and I really need your input.
Used to signal that the speaker values the listener's opinion.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the most natural verb to complete the sentence.
The board of directors had to ___ a tough decision about the merger.
In English, we 'make' decisions, we don't 'do' them. 'Make a tough decision' is the standard collocation.
Select the best adjective to describe a very difficult choice.
It was a ___ decision, but I think I picked the right path.
While 'hard' or 'difficult' also work, 'tough' is the most common idiomatic adjective for this context.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality of 'Tough Decision'
Used with friends about small or big things.
Tough decision: Netflix or sleep?
The standard way to use the phrase.
It was a tough decision to move.
Used in business reports or speeches.
The committee faced a tough decision.
Where to use 'Tough Decision'
Career Changes
Quitting a stable job.
Relationships
Breaking up or moving in.
Financials
Buying a house vs. renting.
Daily Dilemmas
Which movie to watch.
بانک تمرین
2 تمرینهاThe board of directors had to ___ a tough decision about the merger.
In English, we 'make' decisions, we don't 'do' them. 'Make a tough decision' is the standard collocation.
It was a ___ decision, but I think I picked the right path.
While 'hard' or 'difficult' also work, 'tough' is the most common idiomatic adjective for this context.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
سوالات متداول
10 سوالIt is neutral! You can use it with your boss in a meeting or with your best friend at a bar. It fits everywhere.
Yes, 'hard decision' is perfectly fine. However, tough decision sounds slightly more idiomatic and common in spoken English.
The most common verb is make. You can also use face (e.g., 'I am facing a tough decision') or reach (e.g., 'We finally reached a tough decision').
Yes, but usually as a joke. If you say choosing a pizza topping is a tough decision, people will know you are being funny.
The most common idiom for an easy choice is a no-brainer. If something is very easy to decide, you say, 'It was a no-brainer!'
Yes, exactly. In this context, tough describes something that is mentally or emotionally demanding to resolve.
Not quite. You would say 'I have a tough decision to make' or 'I am in a tough position.' You don't live 'inside' the decision.
It is used equally in both! It is a universal English expression found in all dialects.
You can add adverbs like 'extremely' or 'incredibly'. For example: 'This was an incredibly tough decision for us.'
A tough call is a very common synonym. It comes from sports, where a referee has to make a difficult judgment quickly.
عبارات مرتبط
Hard call
A difficult judgment or decision.
No-brainer
A decision that is so easy it requires no thought.
Dilemma
A situation where a difficult choice has to be made between two alternatives.
Between a rock and a hard place
Being in a situation where you must choose between two unpleasant options.
