flagging spirit

USAGE SUMMARY

'flagging spirit' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone who is beginning to lose enthusiasm or determination, especially when facing a difficult task. For example, "After several hours of trying to solve the problem, her initially strong determination started to wane and her flagging spirit was evident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As a result, few, if any, advice columns have the same aura Ask Polly radiates, of being able to jump-start a sputtering soul or flagging spirit.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Flagging spirits "God hates flags" and "Flaggy McFlagface" win the meta-flag stakes.

The Guardian - Music

Musicians played the oud, a traditional pear-shaped stringed instrument, to revive flagging spirits.

The Economist

But small victories nourish hopes and fortify flagging spirits on the road back to normality.

The New York Times

"I still find them a sure prop to my flagging spirits, my tired or queasy body, even my over-timid social self," Fisher writes of the cocktail.

The New York Times

The discovery that a copy of "Evolution Exposed," published by the creationist organization Answers in Genesis, was circulating among the class did not raise his flagging spirits.

The New York Times

The announcement came after more than a week of bickering and jockeying within the opposition camp that served to bolster flagging spirits within the governing United Progressive Alliance, or U.P.A., coalition, which named Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as its presidential candidate last week.

The New York Times

Re "A Real City Bird: Cathedral's Peacock Is Treated for Malaise" (Feb. 20): I remember well my first encounter with these unlikely churchgoers, and that experience gave me an idea for lifting their flagging spirits.

The New York Times

But, first, try UoG's caldo verde (from £3.80), a soup of such vivid paprika and chorizo-based warmth that, even on the filthiest of winter afternoons (and aren't they all, in Edinburgh?), it'll lift your flagging spirits.

The Guardian - Travel

But Western monitors say this is causing a rift between those wanting to fight Muammar Qaddafi's regime and exiles hiding in Pakistan who want to join al-Qaeda at large.Is all this just propaganda to revive the flagging spirits of north African insurgents, or the opening of a new front in the global jihad?

The Economist

Rumors tumbled through dwindling crowds of fighters that spies were among them, and volleys of antiaircraft fire seemed aimed more at lifting people's flagging spirits than at bringing down the warplanes that sent rebels scurrying for cover behind sand dunes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flagging spirit", consider the context. It's suitable for describing a temporary dip in enthusiasm rather than a permanent state.

Common error

Avoid using "flagging spirit" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and less figurative language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flagging spirit" functions as a noun phrase, where "flagging" acts as a participle adjective modifying the noun "spirit". Ludwig AI states that is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flagging spirit" is a grammatically correct and understandable English expression used to describe a decline in enthusiasm or energy. While deemed usable by Ludwig AI, it's relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When writing, it's best to consider the audience and context: for formal writing, it may be more appropriate to use alternatives such as "waning enthusiasm" or "diminishing motivation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sagging spirits

Uses a synonym for "flagging" to describe the state of mind.

waning enthusiasm

Focuses on the decreasing level of enthusiasm.

losing heart

An idiomatic expression for losing courage or enthusiasm.

declining morale

Emphasizes the decrease in team or group spirit.

becoming disheartened

Focuses on the process of losing hope and enthusiasm.

fading resolve

Highlights the weakening of determination.

diminishing motivation

Centers on the reduction in drive and ambition.

ebbing energy

Focuses on the reduction of physical or mental energy.

dwindling zeal

Highlights the diminishing passion or fervor.

petering out

An idiomatic expression indicating a gradual decline.

FAQs

How can I use "flagging spirit" in a sentence?

You can use "flagging spirit" to describe a temporary loss of enthusiasm or energy, as in, "The team's "declining morale" became evident after the series of losses.".

What's a more formal alternative to "flagging spirit"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "diminishing motivation" or "waning enthusiasm" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "flagging spirit" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "flagging spirit" might be too informal for some academic contexts. Consider more precise and less figurative language, such as "fading resolve" or ""declining morale"".

What's the difference between "flagging spirit" and "losing heart"?

"Flagging spirit" suggests a temporary decline in enthusiasm, while "losing heart" implies a more significant loss of courage or hope.