chest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chest" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
You can use it when referring to the front part of the body between the neck and the abdomen, or in other contexts such as a storage box. Example: "He felt a sharp pain in his chest after running up the stairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A forty-year-old woman comes in with chest pain after a fight with her husband.

The Economist

Barber pounded his chest and said, "all heart!" Lacey led them with 17 points and Barber had 13, each coming with big buckets to hold off a late Villanova charge.

The Guardian - Sport

The party has asked American supporters to contribute up to $400 £208.766) to its electoral war chest to attend a fundraising dinner in downtown Washington on April 21.

The Guardian

With a log, he began beating Nekolina's father-in-law across the chest and back and continued until he was dead.

The Guardian

The programme script was careful to say the patient was "sedated by drugs and her chest numbed".

The Guardian - Opinion

As well as suffering increased risk of chest infections, strokes and heart attacks due to cold homes, elderly people become less agile, and more likely to fall and break a bone.

The Guardian - Opinion

If someone has had a cough for three days, so has chest pains from that, they will call us out.

The Guardian

Ebola safety procedures were triggered at Southmead hospital in Bristol last month when Adam Griffiths, 24, who had been travelling in Africa arrived in accident and emergency, suffering from chest and abdominal pains and feeling hot and sweaty.

The Guardian

She has a line of Dante tattooed on her chest.

The Guardian

There's also a lot of stereotypical "masculinity" on display (and not just Cedric's chest).

The Guardian

Waterboarding sessions 'resulted in immediate fluid intake and involuntary leg, chest and arm spasms' and 'hysterical pleas'.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical conditions, be specific about the location of the pain or discomfort in the "chest" to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify if it's upper, lower, left, or right "chest" pain.

Common error

Avoid using "chest" interchangeably with "breast" or "thorax" in formal medical contexts. "Breast" specifically refers to mammary glands, while "thorax" is the anatomical term for the rib cage area. Use "chest" for general references, but choose the more precise term when necessary.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "chest" is as a noun, referring to the front part of the body between the neck and abdomen or a type of storage container. As Ludwig AI indicates, the word is commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "chest" is a common and versatile term primarily functioning as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English, encompassing references to the anatomical region of the body and physical containers. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the term maintains a neutral register suitable for varied communication styles. While interchangeable in some contexts with "thorax" or "breast", precise usage depends on the intended meaning. When writing about "chest" pain, ensure clarity in describing the location and type of pain. The idiom "get something off your chest" is best reserved for informal settings. Overall, "chest" is a widely understood and frequently used word across diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thorax

Refers specifically to the anatomical region enclosed by the ribs, offering a more precise anatomical term.

breast

Specifically refers to the front part of the torso, emphasizing the mammary glands in females or the pectoral muscles in males.

pectoral region

Another anatomical term referring to the area of the chest, providing a more technical alternative.

upper torso

Describes the upper portion of the trunk, providing a broader term that includes the chest.

strongbox

Specifies a secure container for valuables, focusing on the security aspect of the chest as a storage unit.

treasure chest

Emphasizes the valuable contents of a chest, often associated with hidden or accumulated wealth.

coffer

A box or chest, especially one used for valuables.

war chest

Refers to funds accumulated for a specific purpose, such as a political campaign or business venture.

get something off your chest

An idiomatic phrase meaning to express something that has been bothering you, shifting the focus to emotional release.

keep something close to your chest

An idiom indicating secrecy or withholding information, highlighting the act of keeping something private.

FAQs

How can I describe pain in my "chest" more precisely?

To be more precise, specify the location (left, right, center), type (sharp, dull, aching), and duration of the pain. For example, "I have a sharp pain in the left side of my chest" is more informative than just "I have chest pain".

What are some alternatives to using the word "chest" when referring to a box?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like “"trunk"”, “"coffer"”, “"strongbox"”, or “"container"”.

Is it appropriate to use the idiom "get something off your chest" in formal writing?

While widely understood, the idiom "get something off your chest" is generally more suitable for informal communication. In formal writing, consider alternatives like “"express your concerns"” or “"voice your opinion"”.

What does it mean to "keep something close to your chest"?

To "keep something close to your chest" means to keep information secret or private. It implies a deliberate withholding of information for strategic reasons.