a crabby mood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a crabby mood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is irritable or in a bad temper. Example: "She woke up in a crabby mood and snapped at everyone throughout the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Princess Profanity puts Pandora pal back in his box Princess Beatrice is in a crabby mood.

Independent

High unemployment and fiscal collapse not only keep people in a crabby mood but place Spain next in line after Greece as the economy with the most potential to unravel the European Union.

The New Yorker

Needless to say, Betty is in a crabby mood when Don finally gets around to calling her the next day.

Huffington Post

Even I will scoop her up for a quick cuddle and tension release or I'll plop her in my husband's lap to lighten a crabby mood.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

To convey Crankenstein's crabby mood, Santat uses a lot of sickly brown and green.

The New York Times - Books

No boy in town could resist a verbal poke at him, and I'm sure his permanently crabby mood had something to do with being called "Gary Douche" his whole life.

Huffington Post

Their recent Amsterdam summit found them in crabby mood, unwilling to make the changes necessary to cope with a Union of 20 or 25 members.

The Economist

"Maybe I was in one of my crabby moods.

The New York Times - Sports

What made him such a crabby grammarian?

The New Yorker

Though it is a crabby, unacknowledged, unnamed kind of love.

The Guardian

On "Detroit 1-8-7," Michael Imperioli ("The Sopranos") plays a crabby, burned-out homicide detective.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state, use "a crabby mood" to effectively convey irritability or displeasure without resorting to overly aggressive language.

Common error

Avoid using "a crabby mood" in highly formal writing; opt for more professional alternatives like "irritable" or "disgruntled" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a crabby mood" functions as a descriptive element, typically used to characterize a person's emotional state. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It directly modifies a subject, indicating their current disposition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

12%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a crabby mood" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe someone who is irritable or in a bad temper. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While relatively uncommon, it is primarily found in news and media contexts. Consider alternatives like "a grumpy disposition" or "an irritable temperament" for varying levels of formality. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing, avoiding overuse in highly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grumpy disposition

Replaces "mood" with "disposition" and "crabby" with "grumpy", altering the specific nuance slightly while maintaining the overall negative connotation.

an irritable temperament

Substitutes "mood" with "temperament" and "crabby" with "irritable", focusing more on the inherent characteristic rather than a temporary state.

a foul temper

Replaces "crabby mood" with "foul temper", emphasizing the intensity and unpleasantness of the mood.

a bad temper

This replaces "crabby mood" with "bad temper" focusing more on an unpleasant, angry disposition.

a sour mood

Replaces "crabby" with "sour", changing the imagery to suggest a generally unpleasant or disagreeable state.

an ill humor

Replaces "crabby mood" with "ill humor", presenting a more formal way of expressing a bad mood.

a peevish state

Substitutes "mood" with "state" and "crabby" with "peevish", describing a more subtly annoyed or irritated condition.

a testy attitude

Replaces "mood" with "attitude" and "crabby" with "testy", focusing on a more reactive and easily provoked demeanor.

a disagreeable frame of mind

This is a more formal and elaborate way of expressing a negative or unpleasant mood.

a cross mood

Replaces "crabby" with "cross", maintaining a similar sense of annoyance or displeasure.

FAQs

What does it mean to be in "a crabby mood"?

Being in "a crabby mood" means you're feeling irritable, grumpy, and generally unpleasant to be around. It suggests a temporary state of annoyance or displeasure.

What can I say instead of "a crabby mood"?

You can use alternatives like "a grumpy disposition", "an irritable temperament", or "a foul temper" depending on the intensity you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a crabby mood" in professional writing?

While "a crabby mood" is understandable, it may be too informal for professional contexts. Consider using more neutral terms like "irritable" or "displeased".

How does "a crabby mood" differ from just being "angry"?

"A crabby mood" implies a lower level of displeasure and a more generalized state of irritation, whereas being "angry" suggests a more intense and directed emotion.