delicate ego

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delicate ego" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is sensitive or easily hurt by criticism or perceived slights. Example: "He has a delicate ego, so be careful how you phrase your feedback during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Another good reason not to go out is to protect a delicate ego.

The New York Times - Style

When I asked Van Gundy about this, he looked startled: just what he needed on this team, a complainer with a delicate ego.

The New York Times - Magazine

No one cares if your delicate ego is bruised.

Huffington Post

He is like every other man with a wine-glass delicate ego, fighting with Tyrannosaurus fury against the possibility that his reach has exceeded his grasp.

Vice

In February 2012, he called Harris-Perry a "fake and a fraud," which may have had something to do with a 2011 column she wrote calling him a "self-aggrandizing" man who "offers thin criticism of President Obama and stunning insight into the delicate ego of the self-appointed black leadership class that has been largely supplanted in recent years".

Huffington Post

Letting your partner know what you enjoy is incredibly helpful, and unless they have a dangerously delicate ego (a huge red flag), they'll be thankful for the information.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

If coaching is all about managing delicate egos, Williams's job to funnel the players of two teams into one entity was a crash course in diplomacy.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite a recent promotion to a consulting job, in which she deals directly with clients and their delicate egos, she is often tapped to lead the highest-stakes campaigns.

The New York Times

There are so many things to keep interest alive - gaining flow and precision with the words, trying different nuances with the character, assimilating audience reaction over successive performances, not to mention handling props, scenery and the delicate egos of your fellow actors.

The Guardian

We spend so much energy nurturing our delicate egos against naysayers and self-doubt that we can hardly admit mistakes.

TechCrunch

After all, executives there are paid a lot more than I am to put up with the delicate egos and undeniable flaws of creative people.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone with a "delicate ego", be mindful of your language and approach. Constructive feedback should be delivered with empathy and tact to avoid causing unnecessary offense or distress.

Common error

Avoid delivering criticism in a harsh or direct manner when dealing with someone who has a "delicate ego". Instead, focus on providing specific, actionable suggestions for improvement while acknowledging their strengths and efforts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delicate ego" functions as a descriptive term, where 'delicate' modifies the noun 'ego'. It indicates that someone's sense of self-worth is easily affected by external factors. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delicate ego" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe someone with a fragile sense of self-worth. Ludwig AI confirms that. While not extremely common, it appears across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media, reflecting its relevance in discussions about interpersonal dynamics. When employing the phrase, it is crucial to consider the context and ensure that communication is tactful and empathetic. Alternatives such as "fragile ego" or "sensitive ego" can also be used to convey a similar meaning, but the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragile ego

This alternative directly replaces "delicate" with "fragile", emphasizing the vulnerability of the ego.

sensitive ego

This alternative substitutes "delicate" with "sensitive", highlighting the ease with which the ego can be affected.

vulnerable ego

This alternative replaces "delicate" with "vulnerable", indicating the ego's susceptibility to harm or criticism.

tender ego

This alternative replaces "delicate" with "tender", which further soften the description of the ego as a sensitive one.

easily bruised ego

This phrase uses a more descriptive term, "bruised", to portray the ego as easily wounded by criticism or setbacks.

brittle ego

This alternative uses "brittle" which indicates fragility and a tendency to break under pressure.

thin-skinned ego

This alternative uses the idiom "thin-skinned" to describe an ego that is easily offended or hurt.

precarious ego

This alternative uses "precarious" to suggest that the ego's stability is uncertain and easily threatened.

susceptible ego

This alternative uses "susceptible" to describe how easily the ego can be affected by external factors or criticisms.

insecure ego

This alternative focuses on the underlying insecurity that makes the ego fragile.

FAQs

How can I use "delicate ego" in a sentence?

You can use "delicate ego" to describe someone who is easily offended or has a fragile sense of self-worth. For example, "He has a "delicate ego", so be careful how you phrase your feedback."

What does it mean when someone has a "delicate ego"?

Having a "delicate ego" means a person is easily upset or hurt by criticism, even if it's constructive. Their self-esteem may be closely tied to external validation.

Are there alternative phrases to "delicate ego"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "fragile ego", "sensitive ego", or "easily bruised ego" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it negative to say someone has a "delicate ego"?

It can be perceived negatively, as it implies vulnerability and potential oversensitivity. However, it can also be a neutral observation, depending on the context and intent.