a look of relief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a look of relief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's facial expression that indicates they are feeling relieved or free from worry. Example: "When she heard the good news, her face transformed into a look of relief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

'Russian, right?' Then, a look of relief.

The New York Times - Magazine

A look of relief spread over Mr. Obama's face.

The New York Times

There was a look of relief on Temple's face when I stopped and climbed back.

The New Yorker

Romney responded, with a look of relief, "Well, my kids are all married, so I'd be surprised".

The New Yorker

Then, suddenly, a look of relief spread over his face and he joined her in her ardor for Monet.

The New Yorker

Time away is money lost — Ms. Schairer punched a clock by the door — so she hurried the children to school and returned with a look of relief.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"It's a good thing," he said, with a look of considerable relief.

The Guardian - Sport

He latches, it seems, and she has a look of immense relief: she can do this.

The New Yorker

His century, reached with a single to mid-on, was marked with nice understatement and a look of mild relief that his career had gained some fulfilment.

The Guardian - Sport

Vinny Prospal scored twice, his first goals in 15 games, and greeted them with arms outstretched, a look of sublime relief on his face.

The New York Times

There was nothing wrong or ignoble about that hope.He will therefore be directing a look of kindly relief at this week's decision by the United Nations, which has at last given its approval to the process by which America hopes to get an elected government into power in Iraq by the end of next year (see article).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a look of relief" to clearly and concisely convey a sense of eased tension or worry on someone's face. It is especially effective when describing a reaction to a stressful situation's resolution.

Common error

Be mindful not to assume "a look of relief" when only subtle cues are present; ensure the context supports a genuine release from stress or anxiety to avoid misrepresenting the subject's emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a look of relief" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It describes a specific facial expression indicating the feeling of being relieved. This usage aligns with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a look of relief" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a facial expression indicating a reduction in stress or anxiety. As Ludwig examples show, it is predominantly found in news and media contexts. The phrase is generally neutral in register, suitable for a wide range of writing situations. The expert analysis supports its clear and consistent usage. By understanding its meaning and context, writers can effectively use the expression to convey a character's emotional state, avoiding common pitfalls such as misinterpreting subtle emotional cues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a relieved expression

Changes the noun "look" to "expression" and uses the adjective "relieved" to directly describe the expression.

an expression of relief

Replaces "look" with "expression" and uses "of relief" as a prepositional phrase to describe the expression.

a feeling of relief showing on someone's face

Elaborates on the outward manifestation of relief as a feeling visible on the face.

a sense of relief in their eyes

Focuses on the eyes as the indicator of relief.

a visible release of tension

Shifts focus to the physical manifestation of tension release rather than just the facial expression.

a sigh of contentment

Emphasizes the audible expression accompanying the feeling of relief and contentment.

a wave of ease washing over someone

Uses a metaphor of a wave to describe the feeling of relief.

a palpable lifting of burden

Focuses on the lessening of a burden as the cause of the perceived relief.

a peaceful countenance

Emphasizes the tranquility resulting from the relief.

a tranquil gaze

Highlights the serene expression in the eyes after experiencing relief.

FAQs

How can I describe a facial expression showing relief?

You can use the phrase "a look of relief". Alternatively, you can use phrases like "a relieved expression" or "an expression of relief".

What does "a look of relief" suggest?

The phrase "a look of relief" suggests that someone is experiencing a reduction in anxiety, stress, or worry, often as a result of a positive outcome or the resolution of a difficult situation.

Is it better to say "a look of relief" or "a feeling of relief"?

The choice depends on what you want to emphasize. "A look of relief" describes the outward expression, while "a feeling of relief" describes the internal emotion. They are both correct but have different focuses.

Can "a sigh of relief" be used interchangeably with "a look of relief"?

Not exactly. "A sigh of relief" refers to an audible exhalation, indicating relief, whereas "a look of relief" refers to a visible facial expression. They both convey relief, but one is auditory and the other is visual.