fight back tears

USAGE SUMMARY

'fight back tears' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it when you are describing a scene in which someone is struggling to keep from crying. For example, "He clenched his fists and fought back tears as he watched his mother walk away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Almost universally, they all fight back tears.

The New York Times - Sports

With this, I fight back tears during every game".

The New York Times - Sports

Weight paused several times to fight back tears.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're the Lakers!" Buss said, seeming almost to fight back tears.

The New Yorker

Stepping onto the club's famed field, he said, he "had to fight back tears".

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, they pray for us," she said, seeming to fight back tears.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Daniela fought back tears in the film, and was fighting them back again in the family's living room.

The New Yorker

He fought back tears.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Mondzhurayev fought back tears.

The New York Times

She fights back tears.

The Guardian

Some fought back tears.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a public figure or someone in a formal setting, "fight back tears" can effectively convey vulnerability or humanity.

Common error

Avoid using "fight back tears" repeatedly in a short span. Vary your descriptions of emotional struggle with alternative phrases like "hold back tears" or "suppress tears" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fight back tears" functions as a verb phrase that depicts an active effort to suppress a display of emotion, specifically crying. Ludwig confirms it is a standard English expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fight back tears" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of suppressing tears, often in emotional situations. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reliable sources, predominantly within the News & Media category. When writing, it's best to use this phrase to effectively convey a character's internal emotional struggle, but avoid overuse. Synonyms like "hold back tears" or "choke back tears" can provide variety. Remember that "fought back tears" is the past tense form. Ludwig helps to contextualize this phrase, showcasing its frequent use in describing poignant or vulnerable moments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold back tears

Emphasizes the act of physically containing tears.

suppress tears

Highlights the effort to consciously prevent tears from flowing.

choke back tears

Suggests a more intense emotional struggle to control crying.

restrain from crying

Focuses on the act of preventing oneself from crying.

keep from weeping

A more formal way of saying to prevent oneself from crying.

stifle a sob

Indicates suppressing a single, audible cry.

control one's emotions

Broader phrase referring to the management of feelings.

mask one's sadness

Focuses on hiding the underlying emotion rather than just the tears.

maintain composure

Highlights the effort to remain calm and collected.

swallow one's feelings

Suggests internalizing emotions to avoid outward display.

FAQs

What does "fight back tears" mean?

The phrase "fight back tears" describes the action of trying to prevent oneself from crying, often due to strong emotions like sadness, grief, or sentimentality. It suggests an internal struggle to maintain composure.

How can I use "fight back tears" in a sentence?

You can use "fight back tears" to describe someone's reaction to an emotional situation. For example: "The athlete had to fight back tears as he spoke about his late coach" or "She fought back tears while watching the touching scene in the movie."

What are some synonyms for "fight back tears"?

Similar phrases include "hold back tears", "suppress tears", "choke back tears", or ""restrain from crying depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

Is it more common to say "fight back tears" or "fought back tears"?

"Fought back tears" is the past tense form, used to describe a past event. "Fight back tears" is the present tense, used to describe a general action or a current struggle. The choice depends on the context of your sentence.