air of panic

USAGE SUMMARY

"air of panic" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to a feeling of fear or distress that hangs over a particular situation or group of people. For example: "There was an air of panic in the courtroom as the jury deliberated the verdict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

But as the results filtered through, an air of panic could be detected in the newsroom.

Independent

The voice on the other the end of the phone had an air of panic.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, there is still an air of panic and chaos in Downing Street.

The Guardian

The pages of the financial press have had a frequent air of panic.

The Guardian

While it felt busy from 11am onwards, there was never an air of panic or chaos.

The Guardian

In the phone calls that followed, the air of panic was heavy.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

This extends to the presenting style, too, which is often so rushed it has an air of genuine panic about it.

Vice

2.30pm: Quick says he believes the review of his investigation was convened "in haste and air of semi-panic" and was a result of pressure being applied to the Met.

The Guardian

Some nights, for no discernible reason, as if some wildly infectious desperation were aswim in the air, a feeling of panic would reign.

The New Yorker

Air!" and a moment of panic ensued.

The New York Times

The attacks by Representative Rick Lazio on Hillary Rodham Clinton have an air of desperation and perhaps panic about them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "air of panic" to describe a pervading feeling in a specific location or among a group of people, not an individual's personal emotion. For example, "An 'air of panic' filled the office as the deadline approached" is more effective than "She had an 'air of panic' about her."

Common error

Avoid using "air of panic" when describing the direct cause of the panic. Instead, use it to describe the overall atmosphere. For example, instead of saying "The fire created an 'air of panic'," consider "The fire led to widespread panic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "air of panic" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes the prevailing mood or atmosphere, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Books

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "air of panic" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a pervasive sense of anxiety or fear. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is frequently employed in news and media to depict situations characterized by widespread apprehension. While the phrase is versatile and appears in various contexts, it's essential to use it to describe the atmosphere and not individual emotions, as doing so would misattribute the feeling. Alternatives like "sense of alarm" or "atmosphere of crisis" can provide nuanced variations. Understanding these subtleties ensures effective and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of alarm

Focuses more directly on the feeling of alarm, emphasizing a sudden awareness of danger.

atmosphere of crisis

Highlights the severity of the situation, suggesting an impending critical event.

feeling of dread

Emphasizes a strong anticipation of something unpleasant or fearful.

climate of fear

Implies a widespread sense of fear affecting many people.

undercurrent of anxiety

Suggests a subtle, underlying feeling of unease and worry.

hint of hysteria

Indicates a slight but noticeable level of uncontrolled emotion.

whiff of desperation

Suggests a subtle but detectable feeling of hopelessness.

aura of apprehension

Describes an atmosphere filled with anticipation of possible misfortune.

mood of unease

Highlights a general feeling of discomfort and anxiety.

specter of chaos

Implies a looming threat of complete disorder and confusion.

FAQs

How can I use "air of panic" in a sentence?

Use "air of panic" to describe a general feeling of anxiety or fear present in a specific environment or situation. For instance, "There was an 'air of panic' at the stock exchange after the market crash".

What are some alternatives to "air of panic"?

You can use alternatives such as "sense of alarm", "atmosphere of crisis", or "feeling of dread" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "an air of panic surrounded him"?

While understandable, it's more precise to say that the "air of panic" was present or pervaded a place or group. For instance, "An 'air of panic' pervaded the newsroom" is grammatically stronger.

What's the difference between "air of panic" and "atmosphere of panic"?

"Air of panic" and "atmosphere of panic" are largely interchangeable. Both describe a pervasive feeling of anxiety or fear. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although "atmosphere of panic" might suggest a more intense or widespread feeling.