flicker of distress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flicker of distress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief or subtle indication of worry or anxiety in someone's expression or behavior. Example: "As she spoke about her past, I noticed a flicker of distress in her eyes that suggested there was more to the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A flicker of distress showed in her eyes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

These are no longer sources of distress.

The New York Times - Tech

They tussle over gradations of distress.

The New York Times

"She was in a lot of distress".

The New York Times

New friends miss key signs of distress.

The New York Times

That is actually a symbol of distress".

The New Yorker

There were no visible signs of distress.

The New York Times - Food

Evelyn contemplates her growing symptoms of distress.

The Guardian - Books

Scenes of distress and total shock".

The Guardian

The sound was a cry of distress.

BBC

That background of distress dissolved.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation, "flicker of distress" can highlight underlying tensions or hidden problems, creating suspense and intrigue.

Common error

Avoid using "flicker of distress" excessively in overly dramatic scenes, as it can sound cliché. Opt for stronger, more direct language when portraying intense emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flicker of distress" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a brief or subtle manifestation of worry or anxiety, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in describing emotional states.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flicker of distress" is a noun phrase used to describe a brief or subtle sign of worry or anxiety. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears in diverse contexts, including news, media, and literature. While not overly common, its effectiveness lies in its ability to convey nuance and depth in emotional descriptions. When employing the phrase, it's best to avoid overuse in melodramatic situations and to consider the wide array of available alternatives to best suit the intended tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hint of anguish

Substitutes "flicker" with "hint" and "distress" with "anguish", both implying a slight indication of suffering.

trace of anxiety

Replaces "flicker" with "trace" and "distress" with "anxiety", focusing on a minimal amount of worry.

shadow of unease

Uses "shadow" instead of "flicker" to suggest a fleeting feeling of discomfort, replacing "distress" with "unease".

glimmer of suffering

Employs "glimmer" to convey a brief sign and "suffering" to substitute "distress", indicating a sign of pain.

whisper of torment

Replaces "flicker" with "whisper" to suggest subtlety and "distress" with "torment" for intense suffering.

suggestion of worry

Substitutes "flicker" with "suggestion" and "distress" with "worry", indicating a potential concern.

fleeting sign of trouble

Uses "fleeting sign" instead of "flicker" and replaces "distress" with "trouble", indicating a brief indication of problems.

brief indication of suffering

Replaces "flicker" with "brief indication" and uses "suffering" instead of "distress", emphasizing a short-lived sign of pain.

slight manifestation of pain

Employs "slight manifestation" instead of "flicker" and replaces "distress" with "pain", focusing on a mild appearance of discomfort.

passing glimpse of anguish

Uses "passing glimpse" instead of "flicker" and "anguish" instead of "distress", indicating a quick view of intense suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "flicker of distress" in a sentence?

You can use "flicker of distress" to describe a brief or subtle sign of someone's worry or anxiety. For example, "A "flicker of distress" showed in her eyes when she spoke about the accident."

What are some alternatives to "flicker of distress"?

Alternatives to "flicker of distress" include phrases like "hint of anguish", "trace of anxiety", or "shadow of unease", which all convey a similar subtle indication of worry.

What does "flicker of distress" imply?

"Flicker of distress" implies a brief, often subtle, sign of worry, anxiety, or pain. It suggests an underlying feeling that is momentarily revealed.

Is it appropriate to use "flicker of distress" in formal writing?

Yes, "flicker of distress" is appropriate in formal writing. It is a descriptive phrase that can add depth to character portrayals and scene descriptions, as shown in examples from sources like The New Yorker and The New York Times.