flicker of heat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flicker of heat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief or faint sensation of warmth, often in a metaphorical or poetic context. Example: "As the sun began to set, a flicker of heat lingered in the air, reminding us of the day's warmth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The passage continued: "Spite had crossed it like a flicker of heat lightning.

The New York Times - Arts

Pepperoncini (approximately 300 SHU) produce just a flicker of heat, while cayennes (40,000) are to Scotch bonnets (200,000) as matches are to blowtorches.

The New Yorker

In the most unsettling story, "The Paperhanger," a murder occurs in a flash, merely because of a toddler's haughty expression: "He remembered the look on the child's face... spite had crossed it like a flicker of heat lightning.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The candles on each table begin to feel oppressive, as if each flicker of the flame ratchets the heat up another notch.

The New York Times - Food

"He lives without privacy in a lidless room, / The bald slots of his eyes stiffened wide-open / On the incessant heat-lightning flicker of situations".

The Guardian - Books

A candle's flicker and heat has the same throb of life".

The Guardian - Books

But here among the verdant rolling hills of Andhra Pradesh, where only the occasional flicker of a sea breeze offered relief from the heat, England finally saw Kohli at his best in Test cricket.

The Guardian - Sport

You feel the flickering heat of the detective's questions; your chest tightens reading about the baffled Döhring's panic; you see the aunt's weird painting, like a still from a Weimar film: "Whoever looked at the painting thought its shape was a perfect square, while in fact there was a big difference between the picture's height and width".

The New York Times - Books

The moviegoing masses still seem to have a flicker of doubt that she earned that Oscar, perhaps because her first big movie after winning it was "The Heat".

The New York Times

No flicker of hope.

The New York Times

Cindy McCain gave a flicker of a smirk.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flicker of heat" to evoke a sense of momentary or subtle warmth, often in a metaphorical or descriptive context. It's effective in creative writing to convey a fleeting sensation.

Common error

Avoid using "flicker of heat" to describe a sustained or intense heat source. The phrase implies a brief and subtle sensation, not a continuous or strong warmth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flicker of heat" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object to describe a subtle and transient sensation of warmth. Ludwig shows several examples in literary or descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flicker of heat" is a phrase used to describe a momentary or subtle sensation of warmth, often employed in descriptive or metaphorical contexts. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, though its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, serving to evoke a sensory experience or represent a brief surge of emotion. While not widely used, its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian confirms its acceptability in formal writing. Related phrases include "slight warmth" and "hint of warmth", offering similar but not identical connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting warmth

Highlights the transient nature of the heat, similar to "flicker", but lacks the visual association.

hint of warmth

Emphasizes a subtle indication of warmth, rather than a fleeting sensation.

brief warmth

Similar to fleeting warmth but even more basic and direct.

slight warmth

Focuses on the mild temperature aspect, omitting the visual or sudden nature of the original phrase.

waft of warmth

Implies the heat is carried by air, adding a sensory detail not present in the original phrase.

trace of heat

Suggests a minimal amount of heat is present.

touch of heat

Emphasizes the tactile sensation of slight heat.

subtle heat

Focuses on the understated nature of the heat.

tinge of heat

Suggests a very slight and barely perceptible amount of heat.

glow of warmth

Shifts the focus from the fleeting nature to a radiant quality of warmth.

FAQs

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

You can use "flicker of heat" to describe a momentary sensation of warmth, or metaphorically to represent a brief surge of emotion or intensity. For example, "A "flicker of heat" rose in her cheeks as she remembered the encounter".

What does "flicker of heat" mean?

"Flicker of heat" typically refers to a brief and subtle sensation of warmth. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a transient surge of emotion or energy.

Are there alternative ways to express the idea of "flicker of heat"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "slight warmth", "hint of warmth", or "fleeting warmth".

Is "flicker of heat" a common expression?

"Flicker of heat" is not a very common expression, but it is grammatically correct and understandable. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.