a bout of optimism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bout of optimism" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temporary period or instance of feeling hopeful or positive about a situation. Example: "After weeks of uncertainty, she experienced a bout of optimism that things would improve soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Investors around the world have been struck by a bout of optimism.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Stem-cell researchers experienced a brief bout of optimism two years ago when President Obama signed an executive order ending a restrictive policy enacted in 2001 by President Bush.

MIT Technology Review

When Kim first agreed to the summit, a similar bout of optimism swept Washington, and even hardened opponents of Trump started worrying that perhaps they had misread the President.

The New Yorker

At the end of the day, the price of the debt was at a low-point for the recent crisis — lower than it was before the recent bout of optimism broke out last Thursday.

The New York Times

The latest bout of optimism in the markets is welcome, but governments should not let it infect them with a dangerous complacency.

The Economist

"We have no choice but to change", said Thomas Ryder, head of the Reader's Digest Association.Ironically, given its contribution to the present bout of optimism, TV advertising also faces serious long-run threats from ad-evading systems such as TiVo to the proliferation of other media which the industry may be inadvertently assisting.

The Economist

A bout of acne?

Independent

launched a bout of reorganization.

The New Yorker

Or a bout of wheezing.

The New York Times

But someone who comes out of a bout of depression and is back at work may have a greater ability to empathize, and to see situations more realistically without excessive optimism.

Harvard Business Review

A recently developed model posits that a bout of operant responding comprises three different components: bout initiation rate, within-bout response rate and bout length.

Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bout of optimism" to describe a temporary, often unexpected, surge of positive feeling in response to a specific event or situation. For instance, "After the company announced record profits, there was a bout of optimism among the employees."

Common error

Avoid using "a bout of optimism" when a more sustained or general sense of hope is meant. "Bout" implies a temporary occurrence, so using words like "period" or "sense" of optimism might be more appropriate when referring to long-term feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bout of optimism" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a specific instance or period characterized by optimistic feelings. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of the phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bout of optimism" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a temporary surge of positive feeling, often in response to specific events. Ludwig AI confirms this, adding that it is appropriate for various contexts, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "a surge of optimism" or "a wave of optimism" exist, understanding the nuances of "bout" helps in precise communication. To best utilize this phrase, remember it describes a temporary feeling and avoid using it when describing something more permanent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of optimism

Replaces "bout" with "surge", suggesting a stronger and more sudden increase in optimism.

a wave of optimism

Uses "wave" instead of "bout", conveying a sense of optimism that washes over someone.

a period of optimism

Replaces "bout" with "period", indicating a more sustained duration of optimistic feelings.

a spark of optimism

Substitutes "bout" with "spark", suggesting a small, initial feeling of hope.

a flicker of optimism

Similar to "spark", but conveys an even more fragile and fleeting sense of hope.

a moment of optimism

Emphasizes the brief duration of the optimistic feeling.

a flash of optimism

Highlights the sudden and intense nature of the optimistic feeling.

a dose of optimism

Presents optimism as something administered or received, often implying a need for it.

a glimmer of optimism

Indicates a faint or subtle sign of hope.

an upswing in optimism

Suggests an improvement or increase in overall optimism.

FAQs

How can I use "a bout of optimism" in a sentence?

You can use "a bout of optimism" to describe a short period of hopefulness, such as, "The team experienced "a bout of optimism" after their initial success, but it was short-lived".

What can I say instead of "a bout of optimism"?

You can use alternatives like "a surge of optimism", "a wave of optimism", or "a period of optimism" depending on the context.

Is "a bout of optimism" formal or informal?

"A bout of optimism" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in news and media or general writing rather than highly academic or scientific papers. The nuance you want to communicate is the key. If you want to comunicate temporary optimism, the phrase is a good fit.

What's the difference between ""a bout of optimism"" and "a sense of optimism"?

"A bout of optimism" suggests a temporary and often sudden feeling, whereas "a sense of optimism" implies a more general and sustained feeling of hope.