difficult decision
قرار صعب
Use this phrase to describe any choice that requires serious thought or carries emotional weight.
15秒了解
- A choice that requires significant thought and involves tough consequences.
- Commonly used with the verbs 'make', 'face', or 'reach'.
- Suitable for both professional meetings and heart-to-heart talks with friends.
意思
This phrase describes a situation where you have to choose between two or more options, and none of them are easy or perfect. It is that feeling when you are stuck because every choice has a consequence.
关键例句
3 / 6Talking about a career change
Leaving my old job was a difficult decision, but I needed a change.
Leaving my old job was a difficult decision, but I needed a change.
Choosing a university
It's a difficult decision because both universities are excellent.
It's a difficult decision because both universities are excellent.
A manager announcing changes
The board has reached a difficult decision regarding the budget.
The board has reached a difficult decision regarding the budget.
文化背景
The phrase reflects a Western cultural emphasis on individual agency and the weight of personal responsibility. It became a staple of 'corporate-speak' in the late 20th century as a way to humanize tough business actions. In modern social media, it is often used ironically to describe trivial struggles, like picking a Netflix show.
The 'Make' Rule
Always use 'make' a decision, never 'do' a decision. Saying 'I did a difficult decision' sounds very unnatural to native speakers.
Don't Overuse It
If you use it for every small choice, like what socks to wear, people will think you are being sarcastic or overly dramatic.
15秒了解
- A choice that requires significant thought and involves tough consequences.
- Commonly used with the verbs 'make', 'face', or 'reach'.
- Suitable for both professional meetings and heart-to-heart talks with friends.
What It Means
Imagine standing at a crossroads. One path leads to a high-paying job in a boring city. The other leads to a fun job that pays very little. That feeling in your stomach? That is a difficult decision. It is more than just a choice. It implies you have spent time thinking about it. You might even be losing a little sleep over it. It is the opposite of an 'easy call' or a 'no-brainer'.
How To Use It
You usually 'make' or 'face' a difficult decision. You can say, "I have a difficult decision to make." It works as a noun phrase. You can also use it to show empathy to a friend. If they are struggling, tell them, "I know this is a difficult decision for you." It sounds supportive and understanding. It fits perfectly in sentences where you want to sound serious but natural.
When To Use It
Use it when the stakes are high. Use it for career moves, relationship changes, or big purchases. It is perfect for a job interview when they ask about your past. It also works at a restaurant if the menu is twenty pages long. You can joke, "Choosing between pizza and tacos is a difficult decision!" It adds a bit of lighthearted drama to small moments.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for tiny, obvious things unless you are being funny. If you are choosing between a red pen and a blue pen, it is just a 'choice'. Using difficult decision here makes you sound like a movie character. Also, avoid it if the answer is already clear. If someone offers you a free vacation, that is not a difficult decision. That is just good luck!
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, people value 'decisiveness'. However, admitting a choice is 'difficult' shows you are thoughtful. It suggests you are weighing the pros and cons. In business, leaders often use this phrase to soften bad news. For example, before announcing layoffs, they might say, "We have reached a difficult decision." It is a way to show that the choice was not made lightly.
Common Variations
You will often hear people say hard choice. This is slightly more casual. You might also hear tough call. That one is very common in sports and office talk. If the decision is extremely painful, people say it is a gut-wrenching decision. For something that feels impossible, you might call it a dilemma. But difficult decision remains the most versatile and safe option for any situation.
使用说明
This is a 'safe' phrase that works in 90% of situations. It is neutral in formality, meaning you can use it with your boss or your best friend without sounding strange.
The 'Make' Rule
Always use 'make' a decision, never 'do' a decision. Saying 'I did a difficult decision' sounds very unnatural to native speakers.
Don't Overuse It
If you use it for every small choice, like what socks to wear, people will think you are being sarcastic or overly dramatic.
The Corporate Softener
In US/UK offices, if a boss starts a meeting with 'We've made some difficult decisions,' it's often a signal that bad news (like budget cuts) is coming.
例句
6Leaving my old job was a difficult decision, but I needed a change.
Leaving my old job was a difficult decision, but I needed a change.
Shows the speaker thought deeply about their career path.
It's a difficult decision because both universities are excellent.
It's a difficult decision because both universities are excellent.
Used when comparing two high-quality options.
The board has reached a difficult decision regarding the budget.
The board has reached a difficult decision regarding the budget.
Formal use to introduce serious or potentially negative news.
Pizza or burgers? This is such a difficult decision!
Pizza or burgers? This is such a difficult decision!
Using the phrase ironically for a small, funny choice.
Ending the relationship was the most difficult decision of my life.
Ending the relationship was the most difficult decision of my life.
Expresses deep emotional weight and personal struggle.
We are facing a difficult decision between the city and the suburbs.
We are facing a difficult decision between the city and the suburbs.
Describes a major life choice involving different lifestyles.
自我测试
Choose the most natural verb to complete the sentence.
After weeks of thinking, we finally ___ a difficult decision.
In English, we 'reach' or 'make' a decision. 'Reached' implies a long process of thinking.
Select the best adjective to describe a serious choice.
Moving to a new country is a ___ decision.
While 'heavy' can be used metaphorically, 'difficult decision' is the standard collocation.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality of Choosing
Used with close friends for small things.
Tough call.
Perfect for almost any situation.
Difficult decision.
Used in official reports or speeches.
A complex determination.
When to say 'Difficult Decision'
Career
Quitting a stable job.
Relationships
Moving in together.
Finance
Buying a first home.
Humor
Choosing a dessert.
常见问题
10 个问题Yes! Hard decision is very common and slightly more casual than difficult decision. They are interchangeable in most conversations.
In American English, we almost always say make a decision. In British English, take a decision is also common and sounds quite formal.
You can say, "I had to make a difficult decision regarding a project deadline." It shows you are responsible and capable of handling pressure.
A dilemma usually involves two specific choices that are both bad. A difficult decision is broader and can just mean the choice is complicated.
Not at all. It sounds natural when discussing serious life events, like It was a difficult decision to move away from my family.
It is understood, but not a common phrase. Stick to difficult, hard, or tough for a more natural sound.
It is a slangier version of difficult decision. For example: "Should we go out or stay in? That's a tough call."
Usually, no. If you are choosing between two amazing lottery prizes, it's a tough choice, but calling it a difficult decision sounds a bit too sad.
It is the exact opposite! A no-brainer is a decision so easy you don't even need your brain to make it.
Yes, it is very common in journalism and literature to describe a character's internal struggle.
相关表达
Tough call
An informal way to say a decision is hard to make.
Hard choice
A very common, slightly less formal synonym.
A crossroads
A metaphor for a point in life where a big decision must be made.
Weigh the options
The act of thinking carefully before making a difficult decision.
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