hanging face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hanging face" is not a grammatically correct phrase to use in written English.
It is possible to use it as a figure of speech, but it would not be commonly used in written English. For example: "He wore a hanging face, unable to hide his embarrassment".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Some, like the skeletons of twins hanging face to face, jaws open in what looks like laughter, are intentionally funny.

The New York Times - Books

The horrors of the first world war were clear enough to everyone who fought in it, as Wilfred Owen did: "If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace / Behind the wagon that we flung him in, / And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, / His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin / If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood / Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Wishnow, he enthusiastically tells us, strangled himself with the family's curtain cords, in the hall closet: "When Seldon, home from school, went to put his coat away, he found his father, in his pajamas, hanging face-down on the closet floor amid the... galoshes".

The New Yorker

He began it as a way of simply recording his impressions of two paintings by Poussin, Landscape With a Man Killed by a Snake and Landscape With a Calm, that were hanging facing each other at the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles when he was there for what he calls 'a six-month stint' in January 2000.

The Guardian - Books

Iranian convict survives hanging, faces second attempt.

Los Angeles Times

Don't worry if the cutting and stapling are not gorgeous since will be on the back of the wall hanging, facing the wall.

WikiHow

Lay your fabric, or other wall hanging material, face down and iron out any creases or folds.

WikiHow

A portion of his right cheek was hanging off his face.

The New York Times

Your hair is hanging either side of your face in the currently modish "curtains" style.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Think about this woman, recording herself giving advice like, "Just gonna make sure the hair is pushed away from your face, so you don't have any hair hanging in your face," and uploading it to the internet because she thought it was something other people would want to see.

Vice

Willy Franz was killed in September - he was officially reported to have hanged himself, but the post-mortem showed no traces of hanging, while the face was stained with blood and the clothes blood-sodden.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's emotional state, consider using more precise adjectives like "dejected", "crestfallen", or "downcast" instead of the less conventional "hanging".

Common error

Avoid using "hanging face" when a more nuanced description of emotion or expression is possible. The phrase can sound awkward or unintentionally humorous when a more fitting adjective would be more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hanging face" functions as a descriptive phrase, attempting to convey a specific facial expression, often indicating sadness or dejection. However, Ludwig AI suggests it is not a grammatically correct or common phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

34%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "hanging face" is understandable, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable and not commonly used. It attempts to describe a sad or dejected facial expression. More conventional and descriptive alternatives like "dejected expression", "downcast face", or "long face" are recommended for clearer and more effective communication. While some examples can be found in news and media, and wiki sources, it is best to utilize more established expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drooping face

Replaces "hanging" with "drooping" to describe a downward facial expression.

downcast face

Replaces "hanging" with "downcast", implying a lowered or saddened facial appearance.

dejected expression

Substitutes the physical description with an emotional state conveyed by the face.

glum face

Replaces "hanging" with "glum", suggesting a sullen or depressed facial expression.

crestfallen face

Uses "crestfallen" to denote disappointment reflected in the facial expression.

long face

Uses the idiomatic expression "long face" to describe a sad or disappointed expression.

dispirited look

Focuses on the overall "look" rather than the specific physical attribute of the face.

melancholy expression

Emphasizes the sadness behind the facial expression, using a more descriptive term.

somber countenance

Employs more formal language to describe a serious or sad facial appearance.

a face of despair

Focuses on the intense feeling of despair reflected in the person's face.

FAQs

How can I describe a sad facial expression in writing?

Instead of using phrases like "hanging face", which can be awkward, try more common and descriptive alternatives such as "dejected expression", "downcast face", or a "long face".

What does it mean when someone has a "long face"?

The idiom "long face" means someone looks sad or disappointed. It's a more common way to describe a sad facial expression than saying someone has a "hanging face".

Is "hanging face" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "hanging face" isn't a standard grammatical construction. It's better to use established phrases to describe facial expressions.

What are some alternatives to "hanging face" that emphasize specific emotions?

To emphasize specific emotions, consider alternatives like "glum face" for sullenness, "crestfallen face" for disappointment, or "melancholy expression" for deep sadness.