downcast eyes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'downcast eyes' is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is feeling sad or embarrassed, or to describe a look that someone gives. For example, "He walked into the room, eyes downcast, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mallin approached timidly, with downcast eyes.

The New Yorker

Gloomy, downcast eyes dressed in black.

The New York Times

Something in her downcast eyes said that she'd had enough.

The New Yorker

It showed a terrified man with downcast eyes.

The New York Times

You sense the sadness in the young man's downcast eyes.

The New York Times

"It was a gift from Mum," he confirmed, referring to my mother with downcast eyes.

The New York Times

The defendant, Allan Cameron, 29, was led into the courtroom with downcast eyes.

The New York Times

Other children gave the same answer, with downcast eyes, evasive, unconvincing.

The New Yorker

The therapist looked at the man, noticing his shaking hands and downcast eyes.

The New York Times

A slide came up, an old-fashioned studio portrait of a young woman with downcast eyes and marcelled blond curls.

The New Yorker

She creeps on like Jane Eyre, in a long mud-coloured dress, with her hair looped back and downcast eyes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "downcast eyes" to subtly convey emotions like sadness, shame, or submission without explicitly stating them. This can add depth and nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "downcast eyes" when you actually mean someone is simply uninterested or bored. The phrase typically implies a stronger emotion like sadness or shame, not just a lack of engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "downcast eyes" functions primarily as a descriptive element, providing insight into a character's emotional state or demeanor. It modifies the noun "eyes", indicating their direction and implicitly suggesting feelings of sadness, shame, or submission, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "downcast eyes" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a specific physical posture that often reflects inner emotions such as sadness, shame, or submission. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used and understood in English. Analysis of its usage reveals a neutral register and frequent appearance in news and media, where it serves to subtly convey a character's emotional state without explicit description. While alternatives like "lowered gaze" and "averted eyes" exist, "downcast eyes" provides a succinct and evocative way to add depth to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lowered gaze

Focuses on the act of lowering the eyes, implying a deliberate action.

averted eyes

Highlights the act of avoiding eye contact, suggesting discomfort or shame.

eyes cast down

Emphasizes the direction of the eyes, similar to "downcast eyes" but with a slightly different structure.

looking down

A more literal description of the eye direction, lacking the emotional depth of "downcast eyes".

eyes to the ground

Draws attention to the object of the gaze, suggesting humility or sadness.

shameful gaze

Highlights the emotion behind the look rather than the direction of the eyes.

submissive eyes

Emphasizes a sense of deference or obedience in the gaze.

dejected eyes

Focuses on the sadness or disappointment reflected in the eyes.

eyes filled with sorrow

Replaces the direction of the eyes with a description of their emotional state.

defeated expression

Shifts the focus from the eyes to the overall facial expression.

FAQs

How can I use "downcast eyes" in a sentence?

You can use "downcast eyes" to describe someone who is feeling sad, ashamed, or timid. For example, "She answered with "downcast eyes" after being scolded".

What does it mean when someone has "downcast eyes"?

"Downcast eyes" usually indicate feelings of sadness, shame, humility, or submission. It suggests that the person is avoiding eye contact, possibly due to these emotions.

Are there any alternatives to the phrase "downcast eyes"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "lowered gaze", "averted eyes", or "eyes cast down". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "downcast eyes" in formal writing?

Yes, "downcast eyes" is appropriate for formal writing. The phrase is widely recognized and understood, adding emotional depth to character descriptions in various contexts.