fought back tears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fought back tears" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is trying to suppress their emotions, particularly sadness or grief. Example: "As she listened to the heartfelt speech, she fought back tears, trying to maintain her composure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He fought back tears.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Mondzhurayev fought back tears.

The New York Times

Some fought back tears.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Canadian players fought back tears afterward.

The New York Times - Sports

Behind the microphone, Li fought back tears.

The New York Times - Sports

The patient's husband fought back tears.

The New York Times

Hermínio's sister, Marlene, fought back tears.

The Guardian

Ms. Gandolfo-Frady fought back tears.

The New York Times - Books

Ms. Li held her daughter and fought back tears.

The New York Times

He fought back tears as he described the event.

The New York Times - Sports

When his score appeared, he fought back tears.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fought back tears" to convey a sense of inner turmoil and the effort someone is making to remain composed in an emotional situation. For dramatic effect, follow with a description of what triggered the emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "fought back tears" excessively in writing, especially in scenes that might come across as overly sentimental or contrived. Subtle cues like a trembling voice or averted gaze might be more effective in conveying emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fought back tears" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action of resisting or suppressing an emotional response. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English. It often modifies a subject, describing their attempt to control their emotions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fought back tears" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to depict someone actively trying to suppress tears, typically due to sadness or strong emotion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and used across various contexts, especially in news and media. The phrase effectively conveys an internal struggle and the effort to maintain composure. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse in contexts that risk becoming melodramatic. Related phrases include "held back tears" and "stifled tears", offering nuanced alternatives for conveying similar emotional restraint.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held back tears

Uses a synonym for "fought" to indicate a similar action of preventing tears.

suppressed tears

Emphasizes the act of actively stopping the tears from flowing.

stifled tears

Suggests a more forceful suppression of tears.

restrained tears

Indicates a controlled effort to keep tears from showing.

choked back tears

Implies difficulty in preventing the tears, a near breaking point.

battled tears

Portrays the act of holding back tears as a struggle.

controlled his emotions

A broader phrase indicating management of feelings, encompassing tears.

mastered his emotions

A broader phrase indicating superior management of feelings, encompassing tears.

contained his emotions

A broader phrase indicating containment of feelings, encompassing tears.

held his composure

Focuses on maintaining a calm demeanor, which includes suppressing tears.

FAQs

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

You can use "fought back tears" to describe someone trying to suppress their sadness or emotion. For example, "He "fought back tears" as he delivered the eulogy".

What are some alternatives to saying "fought back tears"?

Alternatives include "held back tears", "suppressed tears", or "stifled tears" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "fight back tears" instead of "fought back tears"?

"Fight back tears" is the infinitive form, while "fought back tears" is the past tense. Use "fought back tears" when describing something that happened in the past. For example, "She "fought back tears" during the movie".

What's the difference between "fought back tears" and "held back tears"?

While both phrases describe suppressing tears, "fought back tears" suggests a more active and conscious effort to resist crying, whereas "held back tears" can imply a more passive restraint.