a collective sigh of relief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a collective sigh of relief" is an appropriate and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a group's emotional response after a challenging, stressful, or difficult situation. For example, After months of hard work, the team was able to complete the project on time, eliciting a collective sigh of relief.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Cue a collective sigh of relief.

Independent

A collective sigh of relief?

The Guardian - Opinion

The assembled heaved a collective sigh of relief.

The New York Times - Sports

A collective sigh of relief was heard across the land.

The New York Times - Science

US universities are breathing a collective sigh of relief.

The Guardian

Observant Southern Jews breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The New York Times

"The market breathed a collective sigh of relief," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Many landlords, brokers and community leaders nonetheless seem to be breathing a collective sigh of relief.

The New York Times

The country breathed a collective sigh of relief at the relatively calm reception.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Twins fans everywhere were likely breathing a collective sigh of relief.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The fans inside Lambeau Field erupted with a collective sigh of relief.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a collective sigh of relief" to effectively convey a shared sense of relief among a group of people after a stressful or uncertain situation has been resolved. For example, after the election results were announced, there was "a collective sigh of relief" across the country.

Common error

Avoid using "a collective sigh of relief" when the relief is not genuinely shared by a group. Ensure that the context clearly indicates a common feeling among multiple individuals, rather than a personal or isolated experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collective sigh of relief" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a shared emotional release, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a collective sigh of relief" is a common and versatile phrase used to describe a shared emotional release after a period of stress or uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives exist, such as "a shared sense of relief", the original phrase maintains its unique impact through its vivid imagery. Be mindful to use the expression when describing a genuinely shared emotion, which helps maintain its accuracy and power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shared sense of relief

Replaces the more visceral "sigh" with a conceptual "sense", softening the imagery.

everyone breathed easier

Replaces the direct expression of relief with an indication of relaxed breathing.

a wave of relief washed over everyone

Uses a "wave" metaphor to describe the feeling, emphasizing its intensity and spread.

the tension broke

Focuses on the dissipation of tension as the primary feeling.

the pressure lifted

Highlights the removal of pressure as the defining aspect of the situation.

a communal exhalation

Substitutes "sigh" with "exhalation" and "collective" with "communal", creating a slightly more clinical or detached tone.

a palpable sense of ease

Emphasizes the noticeable and widespread feeling of comfort.

a general feeling of reassurance

Shifts the focus to a sense of security and confidence.

the atmosphere relaxed

Focuses on the overall change in the environment due to the relief.

a nationwide feeling of safety

Amplifies the scale of the relief to a national level, emphasizing security.

FAQs

How can I use "a collective sigh of relief" in a sentence?

You can use "a collective sigh of relief" to describe a shared feeling of relief after a stressful event. For example, "After the final exam, there was "a collective sigh of relief" from the students."

What's a similar expression to "a collective sigh of relief"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "a shared sense of relief", or "everyone breathed easier" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a collective sigh of relief" in formal writing?

Yes, "a collective sigh of relief" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is widely used in news articles, academic papers, and general conversation.

Can "a collective sigh of relief" be used to describe relief from a non-serious situation?

While it's typically used for significant relief, using "a collective sigh of relief" for a minor situation can add a humorous effect. Be mindful of your tone and audience when choosing to do so.