a knowing look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a knowing look" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a look or expression that conveys understanding or awareness of something. Example: As the two sisters exchanged a knowing look, they both knew they had to come up with a plan to surprise their mother for her birthday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The main one, you know" — Lahoud gave me a knowing look — "the lobby, and elections.

The New Yorker

He gave me a knowing look.

The New Yorker

Andy gave me a knowing look.

The New Yorker

The three women shared a knowing look.

The New Yorker

Medina shot her a knowing look.

The New York Times

She allows herself a knowing look.

The Guardian - Books

She seems to have a knowing look in her eye.

The New York Times

A quick rub of forefingers and thumb, a knowing look.

The Guardian

The committee gave him, jointly, a knowing look.

The Guardian

Our waitress watched us with a knowing look.

The New York Times - Food

"As much as possible," he laughs, with a knowing look.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "a knowing look" with dialogue to enhance the subtext and create deeper character interactions.

Common error

Avoid using "a knowing look" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions of nonverbal communication to keep the narrative engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a knowing look" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a specific type of nonverbal communication, where the look itself conveys understanding or awareness. Ludwig shows examples where this look is exchanged between individuals, implying shared knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a knowing look" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a meaningful glance that conveys shared understanding or unspoken communication. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase functions to subtly convey information without explicit dialogue. Its usage is primarily neutral, appearing frequently in news and media sources. To enhance writing, consider variations like "a knowing glance" or "a telling look", but avoid overuse to maintain narrative freshness. Ludwig's examples highlight the phrase's effectiveness in creating subtext and deeper character interactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a knowing glance

Replaces "look" with "glance", suggesting a quicker, briefer exchange of understanding.

an understanding look

Substitutes "knowing" with "understanding", emphasizing comprehension.

a knowing smile

Changes "look" to "smile", implying a more positive or amused shared awareness.

a telling look

Replaces "knowing" with "telling", suggesting the look reveals something significant.

a significant look

Substitutes "knowing" with "significant", suggesting the look has importance.

a knowing exchange

Shifts from a single look to a mutual "exchange", implying reciprocity.

a knowing nod

Replaces "look" with a non-verbal "nod", signifying agreement or acknowledgment.

a knowing wink

Changes "look" to "wink", implying shared secret or playful understanding.

a knowing gaze

Replaces "look" with "gaze", suggesting a longer, more intense observation with understanding.

an insightful glance

Combines insight and a quick look indicating intelligent observation

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a knowing look" in a sentence?

Use "a knowing look" to imply a shared understanding or unspoken agreement between characters. It's a subtle way to convey information without explicit dialogue, such as: "They exchanged "a knowing look" before proceeding with their plan."

What are some alternatives to "a knowing look"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "an understanding look", "a telling look", or "a knowing glance" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "a knowing look" formal or informal?

"A knowing look" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in narrative or descriptive writing rather than formal reports.

What does "a knowing look" typically imply?

"A knowing look" suggests that the person giving the look has some inside information or shared understanding with the recipient, often hinting at something unspoken or secret. It can also imply agreement or acknowledgment without the need for words.