a flicker of emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a flicker of emotion" is correct and perfectly usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a brief but intense emotion that is felt or expressed. For example, "When he saw his father, he felt a flicker of emotion in his chest, a combination of love and fear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"I'm off," said Sam without a flicker of emotion.

The Guardian

Arthur's distracted blue eyes barely register a flicker of emotion as he surveys the damage.

The New York Times

Ronaldo drilled in the rebound but there was not a flicker of emotion from him.

The Guardian - Sport

Stewart celebrates with no more than a wave of the bat and not a flicker of emotion.

The Guardian - Sport

This one quotes DCI Duffy on the day after Bennell – described as not showing even a flicker of emotion – was jailed for nine years.

The Guardian - Sport

"In the end I had to pay the vet 40 quid to have Lulu put down," she says, with barely a flicker of emotion.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Despite his flair, Mr. Palminteri is never allowed more than a flicker of thought or emotion.

The New York Times - Arts

This is a man who does drugs, extortion and murder without blinking or showing the barest flicker of emotion; someone who will throttle a young prostitute to death before going off to dinner and who will pummel an informer into a bloody pulp for being an informer - even though he has struck his own unholy liaison with the FBI.

Independent

He registers only the tiniest flicker of emotion.

The New York Times

According to court reporter David Young: "Black never betrayed one flicker of emotion.

Independent

Later in the film, when he is ordered to kill Tashiro, he agrees without betraying the tiniest flicker of emotion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's reaction, consider the specific emotion that flickers. For example, "a flicker of sadness", "a flicker of anger", or "a flicker of hope" provides more detail.

Common error

Avoid using "a flicker of emotion" to describe a prolonged or intense emotional state. "Flicker" implies brief and subtle, so choose another phrase like "surge of emotion" or "wave of emotion" for stronger, lasting feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a flicker of emotion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a brief and subtle manifestation of feeling. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a flicker of emotion" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes a brief, subtle display of feeling. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently encountered in News & Media contexts, serving to subtly reveal character emotions in narratives. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to use it to describe momentary expressions, avoiding confusion with stronger, sustained emotional states. Related phrases like "a glimmer of emotion" or "a hint of emotion" can offer nuanced alternatives, depending on the intended degree of emotional expression. "A flicker of emotion" provides writers with a precise tool for characterizing subtle emotional shifts, as approved by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a glimmer of emotion

Replaces "flicker" with "glimmer", suggesting a slightly weaker or more subtle display of emotion.

a hint of emotion

Substitutes "flicker" with "hint", implying a very subtle and understated expression of feeling.

a trace of emotion

Replaces "flicker" with "trace", indicating a minimal and barely perceptible sign of emotion.

a passing emotion

Focuses on the transient nature of the emotion, emphasizing its brief duration.

a suggestion of emotion

Replaces "flicker" with "suggestion", highlighting that the emotion is not directly expressed but rather implied.

a shadow of emotion

Uses "shadow" instead of "flicker" to convey a subdued or obscured emotional expression.

an absence of emotion

Expresses the opposite, indicating a lack of emotional display.

a complete lack of emotion

Emphasizes a total absence of any emotional expression.

no discernible emotion

Highlights that the emotion is not apparent or noticeable.

a controlled emotion

Highlights the suppression of emotions.

FAQs

How can I use "a flicker of emotion" in a sentence?

Use "a flicker of emotion" to describe a brief, often subtle, expression of feeling. For example, "Despite his stoic demeanor, I detected "a flicker of emotion" in his eyes when he spoke about his past."

What can I say instead of "a flicker of emotion"?

You can use alternatives like "a glimmer of emotion", "a hint of emotion", or "a trace of emotion" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a flicker of emotion" or "a flicker of emotions"?

"A flicker of emotion" is generally used to describe a brief display of a single emotion. "A flicker of emotions" might be used if multiple emotions are displayed in quick succession, but it's less common. Consider rephrasing for clarity in most cases.

What's the difference between "a flicker of emotion" and "a rush of emotion"?

"A flicker of emotion" implies a brief and subtle expression, while "a rush of emotion" suggests a sudden and overwhelming surge of feeling. The former is understated, the latter is intense.