Definition

Noun A difficult situation, period, or task that requires considerable effort to endure or overcome. It implies challenging conditions that make progress slow or arduous.

Usage

The term "rough sledding" is used to describe a period of hardship or a challenging endeavor. It is typically used with verbs like "have," "face," "predict," or "encounter." It often appears after a form of "be" (is, was, will be) or as an object.

Examples

• Analysts predicted rough sledding for the new company in its first year.
• After the main investor pulled out, the project faced some rough sledding.
• The team knew there would be rough sledding ahead as they prepared for the championship.
• The economic reforms are likely to mean rough sledding for consumers in the short term.

Advanced Usage

• "to have rough sledding": To experience a difficult time.
  • The bill had rough sledding in Congress before finally being passed.
• "to be in for rough sledding": To be certain to encounter difficulties.
  • Any politician who opposes the popular measure is in for rough sledding.

Variants and Related Words

• Hard sledding: A direct synonym with identical meaning and usage.
  • The startup faced hard sledding in a saturated market.

Synonyms

• Hard time: A period of difficulty.
• Difficulty: The state of being hard to accomplish or deal with.
• Struggle: A forceful effort to get free or to achieve something.
• Hardship: Severe suffering or privation.

Notes

The phrase is a metaphor derived from the literal difficulty of traveling by sled over terrain that is not smooth or covered with ideal snow. It emphasizes the effort required to move forward under unfavorable conditions.

Noun

1. a difficulty that can be overcome with effort
   • we had a hard time getting here
   • analysts predicted rough sledding for handset makers