a drop of fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a drop of fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small amount of fear or anxiety that someone is experiencing in a particular situation. Example: "As she stepped onto the stage, she felt a drop of fear wash over her, but she quickly pushed it aside and began her speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Wherever I go, I don't have a drop of fear in my whole body.

The New Yorker

"He does some things that make you go, Woo!' " McGrady is soft-spoken with sleepy eyes and manicured nails and a nonchalance that conveys not a drop of fear -- the fear that maybe, just maybe, he might fail.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Accept the discomfort with love, I keep telling myself, knowing that love is the opposite of fear, and that any drop of fear will destroy this experience.

HuffPost

Never one to shy away from confrontation, an animated Scolari later argued: "As for the defence, I don't have a single drop of fear.

BBC

The 19-member currency bloc saw prices drop 0.3% last month compared with a drop of 0.6% in January, alleviating fears of an alarming deflationary spiral.

The Guardian - Business

But there are precious few serious eateries in Britain where Muslims can sit down and tuck in without fear of a drop of red wine in the sauce or a pinch of gelatin in the dessert.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After seven long hours and with barely a drop of gas left, I began panicking, fearing I might find myself stranded on the side of the road at the mercy of whoever might stop.

The Washington Post

The rumors and other earnings-related fears led to a drop of more than 250 points in the DJIA and a 6% slide in the Nasdaq.

Forbes

Poverty, exploitation and armed conflict magnify the risk girls face even as they go to school, forcing many to stay home or drop out of fear for their safety.

Unicef

Moreover, even if we assume that the entire investment drop was a consequence of fear or uncertainty, the vast majority of the decline in the quantity of labor remains unexplained unless fear or uncertainty affect the labor market through another mechanism.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

He said local residents had told him that common crimes like burglary had dropped out of fear of drawing the attention of a military patrol.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a drop of fear" to subtly indicate a character's internal state, especially when they are trying to appear brave or unaffected.

Common error

Avoid using "a drop of fear" when describing situations that clearly warrant a stronger emotion. It's meant to convey a subtle, almost imperceptible, feeling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a drop of fear" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, describing a subtle emotional state. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a drop of fear" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that indicates a small, subtle amount of fear. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to subtly convey an emotional state, typically in contexts where a character or individual is experiencing mild anxiety or trepidation. While not extremely common, the phrase finds its place in various forms of writing, from news articles to creative narratives. Consider it when you wish to express a nuanced understanding of inner feelings without resorting to stronger, more overwhelming terms. Remember, the goal is to provide subtle insights into internal states, rather than dramatic displays of emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of fear

Changes "drop" to "hint", suggesting a subtle indication of fear.

a touch of fear

Replaces "drop" with "touch", indicating a slight feeling of fear.

a trace of fear

Substitutes "drop" with "trace", emphasizing a minimal amount of fear.

a tinge of fear

Uses "tinge" instead of "drop", conveying a slight coloring or influence of fear.

a glimmer of fear

Changes "drop" to "glimmer", indicating a faint or wavering appearance of fear.

a flicker of fear

Changes "drop" to "flicker", suggesting a brief and unsteady appearance of fear.

a shadow of fear

Uses "shadow" instead of "drop", conveying a looming or influencing presence of fear.

a moment of apprehension

Replaces "fear" with "apprehension", using a more formal term for anxiety.

a wave of anxiety

Substitutes "fear" with "anxiety", broadening the emotional scope while retaining the sense of unease.

a surge of trepidation

Replaces "fear" with "trepidation", using a more formal and intense term for fear.

FAQs

How can I use "a drop of fear" in a sentence?

You can use "a drop of fear" to describe a subtle feeling of anxiety or trepidation. For instance, "Despite his confident facade, he felt "a drop of fear" as he approached the stage."

What are some alternatives to "a drop of fear"?

Alternatives include "a hint of fear", "a touch of fear", or "a trace of fear", which all suggest a small amount of fear.

Is it appropriate to use "a drop of fear" in formal writing?

Yes, "a drop of fear" is appropriate, but consider more formal alternatives like "a moment of apprehension" or "a surge of trepidation" for highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "a drop of fear" and "a wave of fear"?

"A drop of fear" suggests a small, almost unnoticeable amount of fear, while "a wave of fear" implies a much stronger and overwhelming feeling.