bouts of insecurity

USAGE SUMMARY

"bouts of insecurity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a period or episode of feeling insecure. For example: "After her parents divorced, she experienced bouts of insecurity that affected her mood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Is it really worth the stress and the bouts of insecurity?

The New Yorker

While she comes off as an exhibitionist onstage, in private Ms. Schumer is introverted, sometimes melancholy, with bouts of insecurity occasionally breaking through her acerbic veneer.

The New York Times - Arts

But as the opening date of the shows approached, associates testified that he had bouts of insecurity and agonised over his inability to sleep.

Independent

Bouts of insecurity seem to have triggered his reversions to explicit sexual themes after 1927 — when, miserably married, he took up with the young Marie-Thérèse Walter — and toward the end of his life.

The New Yorker

He's also quick to point out the crucial differences between women and men – "boys are for the most part not very observant or altogether smart for that matter" – and is particularly effective when reassuring one viewer about their regular bouts of insecurity: "Everybody feels that way weekly.

The Guardian - Music

Bouts of insecurity and emotional neediness are occupational hazards, as is a certain inability to resist the dramatic moment — standing on a staircase at a party, for example, to announce, "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night" — but on balance Margo, mannerisms and all, seems a surprisingly level-headed woman.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But with the inauguration eight days away, the committee has been slow to announce its entertainment choices, leaving many artists facing a rare bout of insecurity.

The New York Times

Joyce Brown, the president of the Fashion Institute of Technology, quickly followed up by extolling the virtues of the designer, saying that his work was "synonymous with elegance, romance and glamour," while also telling the crowd that Mr. de la Renta wasn't immune to the occasional bout of insecurity.

The New York Times

You want the respect of the people around you, or you want to avoid a fight or a bout of insecurity, so you take the path of least resistance.

Huffington Post

He makes a fool of himself at nightclubs and on beaches and experiences bouts of jealousy and insecurity that follow like bad hangovers in the wake of erotic bliss.

The New York Times

Every bout of anxiety, moment of rage, every period of insecurity, every maddening interaction with a coworker serves as a mirror, or more accurately, serves as a potential mirror.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bouts of insecurity", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects recurring episodes rather than a continuous state.

Common error

Avoid using "bouts of insecurity" for trivial instances of doubt. This phrase implies a noticeable and impactful struggle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bouts of insecurity" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence to describe recurring instances or episodes of feeling insecure, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bouts of insecurity" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-registered expression used to describe recurring periods of feeling unconfident or uncertain. As confirmed by Ludwig, it accurately conveys the experience of these emotional episodes and is found in diverse contexts, most commonly in news and media. While not exceedingly frequent, its usage is consistent and appropriate when describing noticeable and impactful struggles with insecurity. When using the phrase, it is important to consider the context and ensure that it accurately reflects recurring episodes rather than a continuous state. Alternatives like "periods of self-doubt" or "moments of uncertainty" can be considered for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

episodes of self-doubt

Emphasizes the episodic nature of self-doubt, similar to "bouts".

occasional insecurities

Highlights the occasional nature of the insecurities.

periods of self-doubt

Focuses on the self-doubt aspect of insecurity, rather than the recurring nature.

moments of uncertainty

Highlights the uncertainty and lack of confidence involved.

regular self-doubt

Indicates consistent self-doubt.

waves of apprehension

Uses a different metaphor (waves) to describe the feeling of anxiety.

phases of vulnerability

Similar to "periods of vulnerability", but emphasizes a distinct phase.

feelings of vulnerability

Shifts the focus to the underlying feeling of being exposed or at risk.

times of self-consciousness

Highlights the self-awareness and potential embarrassment associated with insecurity.

struggles with confidence

Focuses on the ongoing effort to maintain confidence.

FAQs

How can I use "bouts of insecurity" in a sentence?

You can use "bouts of insecurity" to describe recurring periods of feeling unconfident or uncertain. For example: "The artist experienced "bouts of insecurity" before each exhibition".

What are some alternatives to "bouts of insecurity"?

Alternatives include "periods of self-doubt", "moments of uncertainty", or "episodes of self-doubt", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "bouts of insecurity" or "times of insecurity"?

"Bouts of insecurity" implies recurring episodes, while "times of insecurity" suggests a more general period of feeling insecure. Choose the phrase that best fits the situation.

What's the difference between "bouts of insecurity" and "feelings of insecurity"?

"Bouts of insecurity" refers to distinct and recurring episodes. On the other hand, "feelings of insecurity" describes an overall emotional state or a general sense of unease and lack of confidence.