at every slight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at every slight" is not commonly used in written English and may not be correct in context.
It could be used to express sensitivity or reaction to minor offenses or insults, but it may require additional context for clarity. Example: "She seemed to react at every slight, making it difficult to have a constructive conversation."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Crying "unethical" at every slight arises from a natural desire to win sympathy for a grievance.

The New York Times

"You've got to understand, everybody laughed at this," said Mr. Barrett, who remembers and bristles at every slight North Adams has ever suffered.

The New York Times

Don't call 911 at every slight noise.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He still rankles at the memory of every slight.

The New York Times - Magazine

He's also thin-skinned, prone to ill-advised eruptions, turns beet red at every perceived slight or faux pas and will have television cameras aimed at him around the clock.

The New York Times - Sports

On the left hand side of the continuum we see ourselves as victims of circumstance, and consequently, when a decision point comes up in our lives we believe that we have no choice about what to do -- we must stay married or get divorced, keep working at the same dead-end job or leave immediately, allow ourselves to be bullied or "defend our honor" by fighting back at every imagined slight.

Huffington Post

In E z RNAi embryos, H3K27me3 levels were greatly reduced at every stage, although a slight signal was observed at stages 6 8 (Fig. 2, right side), consistent with RT-qPCR results (supplementary material Fig. S2D).

Biology Open

At 21 had slight periostitis at site of fracture".

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

"They [the Welsh Rugby Union] will work closely with the club, but obviously you are at a slight disadvantage because the coaches are not able to watch you every week.

BBC

The church operates at a slight deficit.

The New York Times

His upper body is set at a slight angle, but he gazes directly at the viewer.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at every slight", ensure the context clearly indicates you are referring to a hypersensitive reaction to minor offenses. Consider if a stronger or more specific term would improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at every slight" in formal or academic writing. It can sound overly dramatic or subjective. Opt for more precise language describing the specific issue or reaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at every slight" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, adverb, or noun. It indicates the frequency or circumstances under which a particular action or reaction occurs. Ludwig AI points out its uncommon use, suggesting it might need careful contextualization for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at every slight" describes a tendency to react strongly to minor offenses or perceived insults. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase isn't commonly used, so context is key for ensuring clear communication. While grammatically acceptable, it's best suited for neutral or slightly informal contexts, like news reports or general discussions, but might be seen as too informal for academic or business writing. Alternatives such as "at every offense" or "to the slightest provocation" may offer greater precision. When writing, use this phrase judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic or subjective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at every offense

Replaces "slight" with a more direct term for a perceived wrong.

to every insult

Shifts from a general "slight" to a more specific "insult".

to the slightest provocation

Emphasizes the minimal nature of the trigger.

at each minor insult

Uses "each" instead of "every" and specifies "minor insult".

at the smallest criticism

Focuses on "criticism" as the trigger.

in response to any slight

Changes the structure to emphasize the reactive nature.

at each perceived slight

Adds "perceived" to highlight the subjective interpretation.

at the hint of disrespect

Replaces "slight" with "hint of disrespect" for a more nuanced meaning.

on the smallest of matters

Shifts focus to the insignificance of the issue.

over the merest trifle

Uses "merest trifle" to describe something insignificant.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "at every slight" to sound more formal?

Consider alternatives like "in response to any perceived offense", "at each instance of criticism", or "given any indication of disrespect" to maintain a formal tone.

What does it mean to react "at every slight"?

It means to show a strong reaction to even the smallest or most insignificant offense or perceived insult. It suggests a high degree of sensitivity.

Is it better to say "at every slight" or "to every slight"?

While both are grammatically acceptable, "at every slight" is slightly more common in usage. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Are there situations where using "at every slight" might be inappropriate?

Yes, in situations requiring objectivity or neutrality, such as scientific reports or legal documents. In these contexts, more specific and less emotive language is preferred.