cross expression

USAGE SUMMARY

"cross expression" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a facial expression that conveys anger, confusion, or frustration. For example, "She stared at me with a cross expression on her face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

There they go, scampering at the sound of our engines, the mother now emerging to look up at us with a cross expression.

The Guardian - Travel

Diego Klattenhoff is another one who knows how to accessorise a government uniform with a cross expression.

Independent

Happily on a drizzly Wednesday morning in south London Akinfenwa is as yet not in beast mode, instead lingering in polite and articulate interview mode (later he would briefly slip into semi-beast mode for the benefit of the Guardian snapper, flexing his pre-flexed muscles to an ever greater scale and politely adopting a slightly cross expression).

The Guardian - Sport

The veteran Italian bass sang with the cross expression on his face of a Grand Inquisitor.

Los Angeles Times

1 2 Once or twice, the girl looked back at him with a cross expression.

Autism

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The point guard in the other Porsche dressed solemnly in the adjoining trainer's room, then sat against the far wall, arms crossed, expression blank.

The New York Times - Sports

For the BXD and BXH crosses expression measurements were available for 21,740 and 21,640 transcripts, respectively, representing 18,774 and 19,197 distinct coding genes which mapped uniquely to the 19 autosomal chromosomes.

BMC Genomics

We constructed conserved co-expression networks for meiotic prophase by integrating cross-species and cross-sex expression profiles from budding yeast, mouse, and human.

BMC Systems Biology

We identified evolutionarily conserved gene modules in meiotic prophase by integrating cross-species and cross-sex expression profiles from budding yeast, mouse, and human.

BMC Systems Biology

This group of 2430 transcripts does not include transcripts showing the most extreme differences in cross-tissue expression patterns, such as transcripts expressed exclusively on a single region.

Human Molecular Genetics

She took a minute and I saw several expressions cross her face.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotion, use "cross expression" to subtly indicate their inner state without explicitly stating their feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "cross expression" too frequently in your writing. Vary your descriptions with more nuanced terms like "frown", "scowl", or "glare" to provide a richer portrayal of emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cross expression" functions as a noun phrase, where "cross" modifies "expression". It describes a specific type of facial expression, indicating a negative emotion such as anger or displeasure. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cross expression" is a grammatically sound and usable way to describe a facial expression conveying negative emotions like anger or displeasure. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare, appearing mostly in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves the purpose of subtly indicating someone's feelings. For writers looking to diversify their descriptions, alternatives like "angry look" or "displeased face" can offer nuanced variations. Remember to avoid overuse and consider the specific emotion you wish to portray for a more impactful description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irritated expression

Directly states the feeling of irritation.

angry look

Focuses specifically on anger as the primary emotion.

displeased face

Highlights the lack of satisfaction or contentment.

frowning face

Emphasizes the physical manifestation of unhappiness.

stern gaze

Conveys a serious and authoritative expression.

unhappy face

Simple and direct way to describe sadness

annoyed countenance

Uses more formal language to express irritation.

disapproving look

Suggests disagreement or moral objection.

glum look

Suggests a depressed or pessimistic mood.

sour face

Implies a distaste or resentment.

FAQs

How can I use "cross expression" in a sentence?

You can use "cross expression" to describe someone's facial expression when they are angry, annoyed, or displeased. For example, "She gave him a "cross expression" when he arrived late."

What's the difference between a ""cross expression"" and a scowl?

A ""cross expression"" is a general term for a displeased or irritated look, while a scowl typically involves furrowing the brows and suggests a more intense level of anger or disapproval.

What are some alternative ways to describe an angry face?

Instead of saying someone had a ""cross expression"", you could say they had an "angry look", a "stern gaze", or a "displeased face".

Is "cross expression" formal or informal?

"Cross expression" is generally considered a neutral term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "annoyed countenance" may be preferred in certain writing situations.