grim hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grim hope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a sense of hope that is overshadowed by a feeling of despair or seriousness. Example: "In the face of overwhelming odds, she held onto a grim hope that things would eventually improve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As I said, our history offers a grim hope.

The New York Times

There is a kind of grim hope to recalling this story from our early evolution.

The New York Times

A grim hope remains that the president might win by a large enough margin to avoid plausible challenges.

The Economist

Others see a grim hope, calling the tearing apart of their society a period that one day will be remembered as this ancient city's ultimate test.

The New York Times

Grim, hope she's OK.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Within the company, the mood grew grimmer as hopes for a recovery dwindled, according to traders at Knight, who were not authorized to discuss the matter.

The New York Times

His friend John Keats came for grimmer reasons, hoping to shake off tuberculosis.

BBC

The possibility of inept execution of Dictatorship 101 alone might be an admittedly grim glimmer of hope for the millions of suffering Zimbabweans who so laudably pin their hopes on democratic, electoral and peaceful change.

Forbes

The photographer Philip Montgomery captured the intense hours during which Clinton's supporters shed the excitement of near-certain victory, then held tight to grim but fading hope.

The New Yorker

Based on these factors, the future looks grim for any hope of change in Smithfield's practices as a result of this acquisition.

Huffington Post

And while I'm certainly not saying that this means that cancer or hecklers are welcome and invited (or comparable in scope of awfulness or means of distruction), I am saying that should I have the misfortune to meet the worst the world has to offer me, be it a drunk, rowdy table of bachelorettes, or a life-altering, grim diagnosis, I hope I'm able to work like Notaro, Penzias, and Wilson.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "grim hope" when the context involves overcoming significant obstacles or facing potentially devastating consequences, where the presence of any hope is notable despite the bleak circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "grim hope" in situations where the overall outlook is predominantly positive or where the level of optimism is high. The phrase is most effective when underscoring the presence of hope amidst predominantly negative conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grim hope" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'grim' modifies the noun 'hope'. It expresses the quality of the hope being tinged with negativity or doubt. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to describe a specific feeling.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grim hope" is a correct and usable phrase that describes a situation where a sense of hope exists alongside a prevailing feeling of despair or seriousness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not frequently used, it appears consistently in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register. Alternative expressions include "bleak optimism" and "dark hope", each providing slight variations in emphasis. The phrase is best employed when acknowledging the presence of hope amidst challenging or negative circumstances, avoiding its use in predominantly positive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bleak optimism

Emphasizes the pessimistic outlook with a slight suggestion of positive expectation.

faint hope

Highlights the weakness and uncertainty of the hope itself.

dark hope

Focuses on the ominous or unsettling nature of the hope.

remote possibility

Shifts from hope to a more detached assessment of likelihood.

slim chance

Underscores the minimal probability of a positive outcome.

tenuous hope

Highlights the fragility and instability of the hope.

desperate hope

Emphasizes the urgency and intensity of the hope.

dubious prospect

Casts doubt on the potential for a favorable result.

long shot

Indicates a low probability of success or a positive outcome.

last resort

Suggests that hope remains only as a final, often undesirable, option.

FAQs

What does "grim hope" mean?

"Grim hope" describes a situation where there is a minimal or unlikely expectation of a positive outcome amid mostly negative or despairing circumstances. It's a faint light in a dark place.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "grim hope"?

It is appropriate when you want to convey that there is still some degree of optimism, however small or unlikely, even when things look bad. Think of situations where "bleak optimism" seems to be the only available outlook.

What are some alternatives to "grim hope"?

You can use alternatives like "faint hope", "dark hope", or "remote possibility" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "grim hope" differ from regular hope?

"Grim hope" implies that the situation is dire and the expectation of a positive result is minimal or severely challenged, whereas regular hope suggests a more positive and probable expectation. "Grim hope" acknowledges the bleakness, while hope often overlooks it.