accept with good grace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accept with good grace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of receiving something, often an unfavorable situation or criticism, in a positive and composed manner. Example: "Even though the feedback was tough to hear, she managed to accept it with good grace and made the necessary changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

At 10, he appeared to accept with good grace the arrival of another brother, Eugene.

The New York Times

I think there is a whole number of reasons for that, but I think the most important thing is to accept with good grace the verdict of the people and say, 'That's that'".

The Guardian

Not only did he accept with good grace being hit with two cream tarts a few days later (after all, being a target of the pranksters means you have become politically significant), but he made a mollifying phone-call to Yacine's mum too.

The Economist

Here is my informed take on just how many Conservatives backbenchers are feeling: Some will accept with good grace.

BBC

His report said a number of councillors needed to "pay proper regard to the members' code of conduct" and accept "with good grace" they may get advice that "does not accord with their political or policy aspirations".

BBC

"As I have said before, I have been talking with Jim McColl behind the scenes and I cannot and will not say anything that could damage him - I still believe he would have been a valuable addition to our board - and I accept with good grace Frank Blin's decision to remove himself from the process," said the chief executive.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But people declined, a decision he regrets but accepts with good grace.

The Guardian - Business

Minimal fleecing -- the furtive surcharge or unspoken tourist tax -- should be accepted with good grace.

The New York Times - Travel

"People think things are going better than they thought they would the day after the revolution," says a diplomat.The postponement until October 23rd of an election to a constituent assembly originally scheduled for July 24th was widely accepted with good grace after the independent electoral commission said it could not prepare properly in time.

The Economist

Accepting with good grace that his dark eyes and deep voice would rule him out for romantic leads, he set about playing, for instance, the SS officer in Manhunt (1970) – the LWT second world war series that set him up for stardom – with relish and great skill.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Still, having given Mr Brown a de facto veto on the euro, Mr Blair should accept it with good grace.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the situation. While "accept with good grace" is generally appropriate for most contexts, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "receive with dignity".

Common error

Avoid using "accept with good grace" when the situation is already inherently positive and requires no particular effort or composure to accept. For instance, saying "He accepted the award with good grace" might sound redundant, as accepting an award is typically seen as a pleasant experience. Instead, reserve the phrase for scenarios involving criticism, defeat, or unfavorable outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accept with good grace" functions as a verb phrase, modifying the verb "accept" to describe the manner of acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It emphasizes the positive attitude and composure with which someone receives something, often an unfavorable situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accept with good grace" is a phrase used to describe receiving something, typically negative feedback or an undesirable outcome, in a positive and composed manner. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While grammatically sound, it's best used when the acceptance involves genuine effort to maintain composure, avoiding redundancy in overly positive contexts. Alternatives like "accept gracefully" or "receive with dignity" can be used for slight variations in tone. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the phrase suggests emotional intelligence and resilience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accept gracefully

This alternative is more concise, replacing "with good grace" with the single adverb "gracefully".

receive with dignity

This alternative uses "receive" instead of "accept" and "dignity" to highlight a composed and respectful manner.

take it in stride

This alternative is more informal and idiomatic, suggesting a calm and resilient approach.

handle with composure

This alternative focuses on the manner of handling a situation, emphasizing calmness and self-control.

bear with equanimity

This alternative is more formal, using "bear" and "equanimity" to suggest emotional balance and resilience.

swallow one's pride

This alternative specifically addresses the act of suppressing ego when accepting something difficult.

grin and bear it

This alternative is an idiom suggesting enduring something unpleasant with a smile.

face it stoically

This alternative focuses on facing a situation with stoicism, implying emotional fortitude.

resign oneself to

This alternative suggests accepting something inevitable, often with a sense of resignation.

make the best of it

This alternative focuses on finding the positive aspects of a situation despite its challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "accept with good grace" in a sentence?

You can use "accept with good grace" to describe someone receiving criticism, defeat, or an undesirable situation in a positive and composed manner. For example, "Despite the negative feedback, she managed to "accept it with good grace" and improve her performance."

What are some alternatives to "accept with good grace"?

Alternatives include "accept gracefully", "receive with dignity", or "take it in stride", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to "accept with good grace"?

While it's generally a positive trait, using "accept with good grace" might be redundant or even sarcastic in situations that are already inherently positive or where acceptance is expected. It's best used when describing acceptance of something difficult or undesirable.

What does it mean to "accept with good grace"?

To "accept with good grace" means to receive something, typically criticism, defeat, or an unfavorable situation, in a positive, composed, and dignified manner, without bitterness or complaint.