be elusive

Frequency: 8.015.1 per million words

Used to describe something that is difficult to find, catch, or achieve.

elusiveVERB + elusive

Categories:

be

Examples (10)

  • For many philosophers, absolute truth is a notoriously elusive concept.
  • The suspect was frustratingly elusive, managing to evade the police for months.
  • After his initial success, major film roles have been surprisingly elusive for the young actor.
  • For some people, happiness is an elusive goal they chase their entire lives.
  • A definitive cure for the disease has been elusive, despite decades of research.
  • The rare snow leopard is so elusive that it's often called the 'ghost of the mountains.'
  • Without genuine dialogue, a lasting peace will be elusive.
  • The name of that song is being elusive; I can hum the tune but can't remember the title.
  • The final piece of data we needed to complete the report was proving to be elusive.
  • The perfect work-life balance often is an elusive ideal in modern society.