drooping lips

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drooping lips" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a facial expression that conveys sadness, tiredness, or a lack of energy. Example: "After hearing the disappointing news, she sat down with drooping lips, unable to muster a smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although far less inspiring than Nixon, George W. Bush's drooping lip, ample ears, and smallish head, as well as his reputation for malapropisms, seem to have crystallized among the nation's editorial artists into a cross between Ross Perot and Sad Sack -- or perhaps into something more primitive.

The New York Times

III Desire and disease commingling, commingling, the white hair and the white page with the fear of white sight, blindness, amputation, a recurring kidney stone, the plague of AIDS, shaken in the mirror by that bewildered look, the truculence, the drooping lip of a spiritual lout.

The New York Times - Books

He had handsome eyebrows, a straight nose, rather a large mouth with a drooping lower lip.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The animal exhibited clinical signs of neurologic involvement including ataxia, shaking, a drooping lower lip, excessive salivation, decreased responsiveness to surroundings, and nystagmus.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

"You've got to pull the cheese — not with your fingers — you've got to pull it with your mouth," he says, a disemboweled mozzarella stick drooping from his lips.

The New York Times

France no longer smells of acrid Gauloise and Gitane cigarettes drooping from haughty lips.

The New York Times

The other horses stood in the corral, lower lips drooping in the heat.

The New York Times

The days when film stars and celebrities were pictured James Dean-style, a cigarette drooping from their lips, seem to belong to a different era.

The Guardian

The driver, a young man in a brown hoodie with a Cleopatra cigarette drooping from his lips, stared languorously at us through the window as we explained our request.

The Guardian - Books

Hustling around the gallery last week in seersucker shorts and a purple-and-orange-striped T-shirt, a cigarette drooping from his lips, Mr. Pruitt said the profusion of works grew out of a fascination with the idea of rumspringa as a period of culturally condoned individual abandon before the inevitable acknowledgment of responsibility, a particularly American kind of ritual.

The New York Times - Arts

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drooping lips" when you want to specifically describe the physical appearance of lips that are sagging or downturned, often conveying a sense of sadness, fatigue, or age. Be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the intended emotion or description.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "drooping lips" always indicate sadness or negativity. While often associated with these emotions, it can also simply be a physical characteristic or a sign of relaxation. Consider the surrounding context and other facial cues before attributing a specific emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drooping lips" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying the noun "lips". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although examples are limited. It serves to specify a particular physical attribute of the lips.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drooping lips" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe the appearance of downturned lips, often suggesting sadness, fatigue, or age. Despite its grammatical correctness, the phrase currently has limited examples available for analysis. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it can be used across different registers, sensitivity to the context is important to avoid misinterpretations or negative connotations. When describing similar expressions, phrases like "sagging lips", "slack lips", or "down-turned mouth" can be used for nuance. Always consider the full context to ensure accurate and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sagging lips

Focuses on the loss of firmness and structure in the lips.

slack lips

Emphasizes the lack of muscle tone and tension in the lips.

down-turned mouth

Describes the overall shape of the mouth, implying a downward curve.

lips turned down

A more active description of the lips moving into a downturned position, often suggesting sadness or disapproval.

weak mouth

Suggests a lack of strength or determination conveyed by the mouth's appearance.

lips at half-mast

A metaphorical expression suggesting sadness or defeat, similar to a flag at half-mast.

sad mouth

Directly attributes the emotion of sadness to the appearance of the mouth.

disappointed expression

Broadens the scope to the entire facial expression, of which the mouth is a part.

pouty lips

Suggests a slight protrusion of the lips, often associated with petulance or sulkiness.

loose lips

Suggests a lack of control. Completely different meaning from the QUERY

FAQs

How can I describe a similar expression to "drooping lips"?

You can use alternatives like "sagging lips", "slack lips", or "down-turned mouth" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone has "drooping lips"?

Generally, "drooping lips" suggests sadness, fatigue, or a lack of energy. However, it's important to consider the whole facial expression and context to accurately interpret the person's emotional state.

Is it appropriate to describe someone's lips as "drooping" in writing?

Yes, it's appropriate as long as it's done sensitively and relevant to the context. Avoid using it in a way that could be perceived as judgmental or mocking.

What are some physical causes of "drooping lips"?

"Drooping lips" can be a natural result of aging, muscle weakness, or certain medical conditions affecting facial muscles. In some cases, it can also be a temporary side effect of medications or treatments.