a flash of pride

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a flash of pride' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a momentary feeling of satisfaction or accomplishment. For example, "Alex smiled with a flash of pride after her team won the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

There is a flash of pride in her eyes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We went into production for £1m less than that at £2.5m," he says, with a flash of pride.

Independent

On occasion, Bourne will show a flash of pride, and defend his role as creator of his productions.

The New Yorker

"It's only the greatest murder story since Jack the Ripper," Bundy says with a flash of pride.

The New York Times

Probably, because here's a flash of pride: "Even if diplomacy is crucial to China, it will not make or break the country".

The New York Times

With a flash of pride, he tells the audience — of his forty-four day London fast — that he "felt very validated when The New England Journal of Medicine actually used the research for science".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Look, this place is awesome and I would never leave," said Jamie Judsen, whose family has run Constantine Auto Parts and Hardware for generations and whose face reflected, like many here, a flash of local pride (and a bit of irritation) at being needlessly pitied by those who reside beyond Michigan's borders.

The New York Times

The mayor asked: "Why does everybody try to land in Sicily?" "Because," he said, answering his own question with a flash of Sicilian pride, "for Sicilians, no man is illegal".

Huffington Post

(In court, she blamed a "momentary lapse of concentration," adding, with a flash of her old pride, that it was not in her "temperament or breeding" to shoplift).

The New Yorker

From eagerness to start the day to a flash of anger to pride in my child's emotional maturity (and relief that I had muted my own automatic thoughts), my emotions in that single minute of time took an intense roller coaster ride.

Huffington Post

Occasionally, though, especially when I catch sight of her out and about with friends, when I'm not expecting to – I feel an irrational and unjustifiable flash of pride.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a flash of pride" to describe a brief, often involuntary, expression of satisfaction in oneself or someone else. It's most effective when highlighting a specific achievement or moment of recognition.

Common error

Avoid using "a flash of pride" in situations where a more humble or modest response is appropriate. Overusing it can create a perception of arrogance, especially if the accomplishment being recognized is minor or routine.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a flash of pride" functions as a noun phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or noun, indicating the occurrence of a brief feeling or display of pride. The provided examples via Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing someone's reaction to an event or achievement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a flash of pride" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a brief moment of satisfaction or accomplishment. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is correct and understandable across various contexts, primarily within news and media. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys a fleeting feeling of pride, as opposed to a sustained sense of accomplishment. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context and avoid overuse, as it could be misconstrued as arrogance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of pride

Replaces "flash" with "surge", suggesting a more intense and sustained feeling of pride.

a moment of pride

Focuses on the brief duration of the feeling, similar to "flash".

a fleeting sense of pride

Emphasizes the transient nature of the feeling.

a wave of pride

Suggests a sudden and overwhelming feeling of pride.

a hint of pride

Indicates a subtle or understated expression of pride.

a glimmer of pride

Similar to "hint", suggesting a faint or barely noticeable display of pride.

a spark of pride

Implies a small, nascent feeling of pride.

an instant of gratification

Shifts the focus to the feeling of satisfaction that accompanies pride.

a touch of self-satisfaction

Highlights the element of personal contentment associated with pride.

a flush of accomplishment

Links the feeling to a specific achievement or success.

FAQs

How can I use "a flash of pride" in a sentence?

You can use "a flash of pride" to describe a brief moment where someone shows or feels proud. For instance, "She felt "a flash of pride" when her daughter received the award."

What are some alternatives to "a flash of pride"?

Alternatives include "a surge of pride", "a moment of pride", or "a hint of pride", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a flash of pride"?

Yes, "a flash of pride" is grammatically correct. The structure is a common and accepted way to describe a momentary feeling or expression.

What's the difference between "a flash of pride" and "a sense of pride"?

"A flash of pride" describes a brief, often sudden feeling, while "a sense of pride" indicates a more sustained and general feeling. The former is momentary, the latter is enduring.