droop shut

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "droop shut" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something, typically eyelids, that are closing or sagging downwards, often due to tiredness or heaviness. Example: "After a long day at work, her eyelids began to droop shut as she struggled to stay awake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"People think it's all fun and games when you're the boss — it ain't," he murmured as his eyelids drooped shut.

The New York Times

Rather, during that evening interview last month, at several points while his remarks were being translated, Erdogan's head bobbed forward and his eyelids drooped shut.

The New York Times - Magazine

Truman Capote on Marlon Brando, November 9, 1956 He lolled his head against a pillow, drooped his eyelids, then shut them.

The New Yorker

Resuming his position on the floor, he lolled his head against a pillow, drooped his eyelids, then shut them.

The New Yorker

She began to gasp excitedly, and she dragged him over on top of her, her eyes going tight shut, her lips drooping open, moist and passionate.

Vice

She shut her eyes, and her head drooped.

The New Yorker

The regulars are the mute ones whose eyes are shut or glazed, their heads wedged between seat and window or drooping on the stem like unwatered daisies.

The New York Times

In May, Cabal Communications had to shut down Mondo, a new title designed for the "post-Loaded" generation.In this section Medicine sans frontières Those who can, won't Drooping D-graded Back a-leaping Counting the doomsday option Fly the icon The best show in town ReprintsPart of this decline could simply be due to the economic slow-down.

The Economist

Then shut.

Independent

"Jonny, shut up, shut up.

The New Yorker

Rusted shut.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "droop shut" to vividly describe eyelids closing due to tiredness or something heavy closing in a slow, tired manner. For example, "After the exhausting hike, his eyelids began to "droop shut" as he sat by the campfire."

Common error

Avoid using "droop shut" for situations where a quick or forceful closing action is intended. The phrase implies a slow, weary, or heavy movement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "droop shut" primarily functions as a verb phrase, describing an action of something slowly closing, often due to fatigue or heaviness. This is supported by Ludwig's examples where eyelids are described as drooping shut.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "droop shut" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a slow, heavy closing, often associated with tiredness. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is found in various contexts like news, science and wiki articles. While relatively rare, it is useful for vivid descriptions. When writing, remember that "droop shut" implies a slow and often involuntary action, and other alternatives like "fall closed" or "slide shut" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall closed

Emphasizes the action of closing due to gravity or relaxation.

sag closed

Highlights the sagging aspect of the closing motion.

close heavily

Indicates a closing action with a sense of weight or effort.

slide shut

Suggests a smooth, gradual closing motion.

drift closed

Implies a gentle, unintentional closing.

gradually close

Focuses on the slowness and progressiveness of the action of closing.

slowly shut

Similar to "gradually close", but with less emphasis on progressiveness.

heavily shut

Underscores the weight or force involved in the closing action.

listlessly close

Suggests a lack of energy or enthusiasm in the closing motion.

wearily shut

Implies that closing action is due to exhaustion.

FAQs

What does "droop shut" mean?

"Droop shut" describes something, usually eyelids, closing slowly and heavily, often due to tiredness or a lack of energy.

How can I use "droop shut" in a sentence?

You can say, "After a long day, her eyes began to "droop shut"", indicating she was feeling sleepy.

What are some alternatives to "droop shut"?

Alternatives include "fall closed", "slide shut", or "drift closed", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "droop shut" formal or informal?

The phrase "droop shut" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both informal and formal contexts, though it's more common in descriptive writing than in technical documentation.