crack a smile

USAGE SUMMARY

'crack a smile' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that someone should smile or look happier. Example sentence: "Come on, crack a smile! You have a lot to be grateful for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Clem doesn't crack a smile or move.

The New Yorker

He didn't even crack a smile.

The New York Times - Style

"Go on then, crack a smile.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She's likely to crack a smile.

The New York Times

Don't crack a smile until October.

The New York Times

The boys did not crack a smile.

The New York Times

Her inability to crack a smile.

The Guardian - Opinion

You've got to crack a smile at that one".

The New York Times - Sports

"Up here, people will actually crack a smile".

The New York Times

He was a bit sunnier than Alex, who you didn't see crack a smile too often".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

She didn't even crack a smile when I started singing "It Jihad to Be You".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: It's particularly useful in situations where someone is trying not to smile or is generally serious.

Common error

While acceptable, "crack a smile" may sound too informal for highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "smile" or "express amusement" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crack a smile" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It describes the action of beginning to smile, often implying a slight or hesitant smile. Ludwig shows it used in contexts where someone is suppressing a smile or initially appears serious.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Huffington Post

7%

Guardian

4%

Less common in

Science

0.01%

Formal & Business

0.01%

Wiki

0.01%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crack a smile" is a common idiomatic verb phrase that means to begin to smile, often subtly or reluctantly. It's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts, according to Ludwig's analysis. While appropriate for general use, it may be too informal for strict academic or professional writing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, suggesting it as a way to express that someone should smile or look happier. Remember to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives like "smile" or "express amusement" for formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flash a smile

Implies a quick, bright smile, rather than a hesitant or subtle one.

offer a smile

Focuses on the act of giving a smile, rather than the subtle beginning of one.

summon a smile

Suggests consciously creating a smile, implying some degree of effort.

let out a smile

Implies releasing a smile that was being held back.

manage a smile

Highlights the effort required to smile, often in difficult circumstances.

sport a smile

Suggests wearing a smile, often in a proud or confident manner.

force a smile

Emphasizes the inauthenticity of the smile, suggesting it is not genuine.

wear a smile

Focuses on the continuous presence of a smile, rather than its initial appearance.

register a smile

Implies that a smile is visible, often used when someone is being observed.

betray a smile

Highlights an unintentional display of happiness.

FAQs

What does "crack a smile" mean?

The phrase "crack a smile" means to begin to smile, especially when someone is trying not to, or in a situation where smiling is unexpected.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "crack a smile"?

It's appropriate to use "crack a smile" when you want to describe a subtle or reluctant smile, or when someone starts to smile after being serious. It adds a touch of informality and can highlight a change in expression.

What are some alternatives to "crack a smile"?

Alternatives include "smile", "grin", "smirk", or "break into a smile", depending on the nuance you want to convey. "Break into a smile" suggests a more sudden and pronounced smile.

Is "crack a smile" formal or informal?

"Crack a smile" is considered an informal expression. In formal contexts, it's better to use more neutral terms like "smile" or "express amusement".