tough crowd
No laughs here
A tough crowd is an audience that's hard to please—unresponsive to jokes, unimpressed by performances, or skeptical of pitches.
The phrase often appears as a rueful comment after a joke falls flat: I guess it's a tough crowd tonight.
It can extend beyond literal audiences to any unreceptive group: I pitched the idea to the board—tough crowd.
Demanding high standards constantly
- unimpressedFailing to find remarkable
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- skepticalInclined to question claims
- expectantAwaiting something foreseen
scrutinizing · discerning · exacting · particular · fastidious · unforgiving · picky · nitpicking
Disruptive audience shouters
- jeeringVocal public mockery
- booingVocal expression of disapproval
- catcallsHarassing shouts or whistles
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
antagonistic · combative · aggressive · confrontational · rowdy · unruly · belligerent · ornery
Uncomplaining endurer of hardship
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
- apatheticWithout feeling or concern
- unenthusiasticWithout eagerness or passion
- coldLow temperature state
disinterested · unamused · unmoved · inexpressive · poker-faced · inscrutable · stony · deadpan
Discouraging through difficulty
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
- imposingImpressively grand in scale
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- grimHarsh and foreboding
menacing · fearsome · unapproachable · forbidding · severe · harsh · intense · steely
hard-to-please
Demanding high standards constantly
- unimpressedFailing to find remarkable
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- skepticalInclined to question claims
expectant · scrutinizing · discerning · exacting · particular · fastidious · unforgiving · picky · nitpicking · unsatisfied
hecklers
Disruptive audience shouters
- jeeringVocal public mockery
- booingVocal expression of disapproval
- catcallsHarassing shouts or whistles
hostile · antagonistic · combative · aggressive · confrontational · rowdy · unruly · belligerent · ornery · contentious
stoic
Uncomplaining endurer of hardship
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
- apatheticWithout feeling or concern
- unenthusiasticWithout eagerness or passion
cold · disinterested · unamused · unmoved · inexpressive · poker-faced · inscrutable · stony · deadpan · blank
daunting
Discouraging through difficulty
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
- imposingImpressively grand in scale
- sternStrict or ship's aft
grim · menacing · fearsome · unapproachable · forbidding · severe · harsh · intense · steely · glowering
tough crowdfans
Ardent admirers or coolers
captive audience · home crowd · true believers · groupies · sycophants
tough, crowd, tougher, toughest, toughly, toughness, toughen, toughened, toughening