gush of tears

USAGE SUMMARY

"gush of tears" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the physical act of crying. For example: "The bride was so overwhelmed with joy that she couldn't help but let out a gush of tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Ross's work is mostly well received (a gush of tears, hugs all around), though when Teach arrives to pick up the dog, there is a moment of awkwardness.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"A flood of tears gushed from my eyes," she recalls of the moment when her television announced Armstrong's selection to command Apollo 11. "There was a tumult within me.

The New Yorker

There was many eye rolls on top of gushing tears over Facebook posts, over watching a certain friend go to grad school or get engaged, have baby or break ground on a house with two of everything: two garages, two stories, too much space.

Huffington Post

Chili peppers can blister your tongue and make your eyes gush with tears, but some people can't get enough of them.

Science Magazine

In another of the Mask works, gushing waterfalls spill out of the spaces where a woman's eyes might be: impossible floods of tears.

Independent

She's in floods of tears as she's consoled by team-mate Liz Yelling and I'm going to stop this because the gushing commentary from Steve Cram and Brendan Foster is too much to bear.

The Guardian - Sport

Island of tears.

The New York Times

Lots of tears.

The New York Times

Lack of tears.

WikiHow

And I'm just as excited as you are!" As we passed through the front gates the boy began screaming and gushing tears of joy as a number of his favorite holiday characters walked by.

Vice

You have met and I've seen communities where the first drop of water or the first gush of water from a well or borehole brings tears to people's eyes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gush of tears" to emphasize a sudden and voluminous release of emotion. It's more impactful than a simple "crying".

Common error

While acceptable, "gush of tears" can sound melodramatic in formal contexts. Opt for more neutral language like "became emotional" or "expressed sadness" in business or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gush of tears" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a specific type of emotional expression, namely a sudden and copious flow of tears. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gush of tears" is a grammatically sound, though relatively infrequent, noun phrase used to depict a sudden and intense outpouring of tears. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While generally neutral in register, it should be used judiciously in formal writing to avoid sounding melodramatic. Consider alternatives like "flood of tears" or "outburst of tears" for subtle variations in meaning. The phrase effectively conveys a powerful emotional release, finding its niche in news media and literature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flood of tears

Replaces "gush" with "flood", emphasizing the volume of tears.

outburst of tears

Substitutes "gush" with "outburst", highlighting the sudden and uncontrolled nature of crying.

torrent of tears

Uses "torrent" instead of "gush", suggesting a forceful and continuous flow of tears.

stream of tears

Replaces "gush" with "stream", indicating a steady flow of tears.

spurt of tears

Uses "spurt" instead of "gush", emphasizing a sudden and short-lived burst of tears.

rush of tears

Replaces "gush" with "rush", highlighting the speed and intensity of the tear flow.

welling up of tears

Focuses on the initial rise of tears, rather than the flow itself.

burst into tears

Shifts the focus to the action of starting to cry intensely.

overwhelmed with tears

Indicates being overcome by emotion, resulting in crying.

breaking down in tears

Highlights the emotional collapse leading to crying.

FAQs

How can I use "gush of tears" in a sentence?

You can use "gush of tears" to describe a sudden, strong outpouring of emotion expressed through crying. For example, "The news brought a "gush of tears" to her eyes".

What's a good alternative to "gush of tears"?

Alternatives include "flood of tears", "torrent of tears", or "outburst of tears", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "gush of tears" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "gush of tears" is not as common as other similar expressions. It's more descriptive than frequently used.

What emotions are typically associated with a "gush of tears"?

A "gush of tears" can be associated with a wide range of intense emotions, including overwhelming joy, profound sadness, or intense relief.