cast a contemptuous eye

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cast a contemptuous eye" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone looking at another person or thing with disdain or scorn. Example: "She cast a contemptuous eye on the messy room, clearly unimpressed by the lack of organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She cast a contemptuous eye across the river, at the Houses of Parliament.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

She cast a contemptuous look at the Queen's lady-in-waiting.

The New York Times

But most others cast a skeptical eye.

The New York Times

"They cast a blind eye," he said.

The New York Times

He cast a discerning eye over the scene.

The Economist

Some analysts cast a skeptical eye on the deal.

The New York Times

I hardly cast a forensic eye over the pad.

The Guardian - Money

Europe's competition authorities are likely to cast a keen eye over the deal.

The Economist

The governor cast a cold eye on hard-liners in his party, especially in Washington.

The New York Times

But Dr. McCarthy still cast a jaundiced eye on personal computing.

The New York Times - Science

"I've been clean ever since," he said, and cast a loving eye at Joann.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and tone; this phrase is relatively formal and might not be suitable for casual communication.

Common error

Avoid using "cast a contemptuous eye" to describe mild disapproval or disagreement. This phrase conveys a strong sense of scorn, and its misuse can create an overly dramatic or inappropriately harsh tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cast a contemptuous eye" functions as a verb phrase, where 'cast' is the verb indicating the action of directing one's gaze, 'a contemptuous' modifies 'eye', specifying the manner of looking, and 'eye' is the noun representing the object of the verb. The Ludwig AI validates its correct usage within a sentence to express disdain or scorn.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cast a contemptuous eye" is a verb phrase used to express disdain or scorn through one's gaze. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct but relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media contexts and conveys a formal tone. The Ludwig examples and related phrases highlight its role in expressing negative judgment and a feeling of superiority. Alternatives like "look with contempt" or "regard with scorn" can be used to convey similar meanings, though they may lack the visual emphasis of the original phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look with contempt

Replaces "cast an eye" with a more direct verb, simplifying the structure while retaining the negative emotion.

regard with scorn

Uses "regard" instead of "look", maintaining the formality while highlighting the intense negativity.

glance disdainfully

Replaces "eye" with a more active verb to describe the quick look full of disdain.

give a scornful look

Uses "give" to introduce a more direct action and emphasizing the look is full of scorn.

view with disdain

Uses "view" to highlight a considered opinion of contempt.

scornful gaze

This is a noun phrase rather than a verb phrase, focusing on the act of gaze filled with scorn.

contemptuous stare

Switches from active to noun, focusing on the effect of the action over its performance.

look down on

An idiomatic expression to indicate feelings of superiority and disdain.

sneer at

Replaces the visual aspect with a more explicit expression of scorn, typically involving facial expression or tone.

dismiss with a look

Indicates rejection or disapproval through a brief and indifferent look.

FAQs

What does "cast a contemptuous eye" mean?

It means to look at someone or something with a feeling of intense dislike and disrespect, often implying a sense of superiority.

How can I use "cast a contemptuous eye" in a sentence?

Example: "She "cast a contemptuous eye" upon the dilapidated building, clearly unimpressed by its state of disrepair."

What are some synonyms for "cast a contemptuous eye"?

You can use alternatives like "look with contempt", "regard with scorn", or "glance disdainfully".

Is "cast a contemptuous eye" formal or informal?

It leans towards being a more formal or literary phrase, suitable for writing or situations where you want to convey a strong sense of disdain in an eloquent manner.