Collocations for "tricky"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "tricky" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
tricky
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adj
- a tricky [task, job, exam]
- a tricky [ride, climb, ascent] (up)
- a tricky [moment, week, time, period, spell]
- the trickiest [thing, part, aspect] is
- [this is, that's] the tricky part
- [this is] the trickiest part
- [unbelievably, incredibly, really, surprisingly] tricky
- (much) trickier than we had [thought, expected, envisaged]
- [that] was trickier than I [thought] it would be
- [that] turned out to be trickier than I thought
- [going through, experiencing, facing] tricky times
- is (quite) tricky to [put together, assemble, do, make, get, complete]
- (wow,) that is a tricky question!
- the [concept, theory idea] is tricky to [understand, comprehend]
- can be tricky at [times, first, the beginning]
- the [switch, handle, lock] is a bit tricky
- a bit tricky to [open, close, slide shut, operate]
- is a tricky customer
- a tricky customer to [handle, please, deal with]
- a tricky [politician, lawyer, coach]
- resort to tricky [tactics, moves, business]
- [not interested in, don't want] any of your tricky business!
- [showed, displayed, performed] (some) tricky [skills, control, movement, steps]
'tricky' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):