a hint of discomfort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hint of discomfort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle or slight feeling of unease or awkwardness in a situation or a person's demeanor. Example: "During the meeting, there was a hint of discomfort when the topic of layoffs was brought up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"So," I said, "what do you use that for?" A hint of discomfort flashed across her impossibly sweet face.

The New York Times - Magazine

He also agreed, with perhaps a hint of discomfort, that TfL is adept at protecting its budgets.

The Guardian

He can still feel a hint of discomfort that probably will not go away until he is able to rest fully.

The New York Times - Sports

I feel a hint of discomfort when I visualize being inundated by hungry mosquitoes or cabora flies, but I resist thinking about it further.

The New York Times

Though he comes across as charming and agreeable, there are still traces of the awkward boy he says he once was, a hint of discomfort in the smile he gives a student he runs into unexpectedly, a longstanding dread of parties ("unless they like psychology or magic tricks, in which case I'd come alive," he said).

The New York Times - Magazine

And there is truth to what the PM said, social workers, volunteers and professionals told the BBC, albeit with a hint of discomfort.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I'll go out on a limb here and suggest that for most men, when it comes to nudity and sex with a new woman, their excitement and desire will block out any hint of discomfort.

Huffington Post

And do not continue trying to pry them off if there's any hint of discomfort.

WikiHow

Was there just a hint of vocal discomfort exposed in the quieter moments?

Independent

There was scarcely a hint of serious discomfort as Ali rode the juggernaut of his ambition to the limits of uniqueness in his sport, to a success that made him the first heavyweight to take the title three times, and did so, unbelievably, more than 14 years after he first made monkeys of the forecasters by draining the ogre out of Sonny Liston.

The Guardian - Sport

Barely there The lush oversize gray velveteen earpads fit all the way around your ears, and the headband compression is loose enough that you can actually wear these things for hours without a hint of fatigue or discomfort.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hint of discomfort" to subtly indicate unease, awkwardness, or mild distress without being overly dramatic. It's effective in describing nuanced emotional states or social situations.

Common error

Avoid using "a hint of discomfort" when the situation involves significant distress or pain. This phrase downplays the severity and may seem insensitive. Choose stronger terms to accurately reflect intense negative feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hint of discomfort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It describes a subtle feeling or indication of unease, awkwardness, or mild distress, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a hint of discomfort" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to subtly indicate a feeling of unease, awkwardness, or mild distress, primarily in news and media contexts. While not overly common, it effectively conveys nuanced emotional states. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the actual level of discomfort to avoid understatement. Consider alternatives like "a touch of unease" or "a trace of discomfort" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a touch of unease

Replaces "hint" with "touch", suggesting a slightly more perceptible level of discomfort.

a suggestion of discomfort

Uses "suggestion" instead of "hint", implying a more subtle and indirect manifestation.

a trace of discomfort

Employs "trace", highlighting the minimal and almost imperceptible nature of the discomfort.

a shadow of discomfort

Utilizes "shadow" to convey a fleeting and less defined sense of discomfort.

a glimmer of discomfort

Substitutes "hint" with "glimmer", emphasizing the brief and subtle appearance of discomfort.

a faint sense of discomfort

Replaces "hint" with "faint sense", highlighting the subtle and sensory experience of discomfort.

a mild degree of discomfort

Uses "mild degree" to quantify the intensity of discomfort, making it more explicit.

a slight air of discomfort

Employs "air" to denote an atmosphere or feeling of discomfort surrounding a situation.

a whisper of discomfort

Uses "whisper" to suggest a barely audible or noticeable level of discomfort.

a suspicion of discomfort

Replaces "hint" with "suspicion", introducing an element of uncertainty about the discomfort's presence.

FAQs

How can I use "a hint of discomfort" in a sentence?

You can use "a hint of discomfort" to describe a subtle feeling of unease or awkwardness in a situation. For example, "There was "a hint of discomfort" when the sensitive topic was brought up."

What are some alternatives to "a hint of discomfort"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a touch of unease", "a trace of discomfort", or "a slight air of discomfort", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a hint of discomfort" and "a lot of discomfort"?

Yes, "a hint of discomfort" suggests a very mild and subtle feeling, while "a lot of discomfort" indicates a significantly stronger and more noticeable level of unease or distress.

Can "a hint of discomfort" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "a hint of discomfort" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider whether a more precise or descriptive term might be more suitable depending on the context and desired level of formality.