jaw dropped

USAGE SUMMARY

"jaw dropped" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's reaction to something unexpected. For example: "When the winner of the contest was announced, the audience's jaws dropped in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Our client's jaw dropped.

The Economist

My jaw dropped.

The New York Times

Our jaw dropped.

The New York Times

Her jaw dropped.

The New York Times

Phelps's jaw dropped.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Burton's jaw dropped.

The New York Times

"My jaw dropped," she said.

The New York Times

My jaw dropped and I was embarrassed".

The New York Times

"My jaw dropped," Ms. Keaton said admiringly.

The New York Times

"My jaw dropped," Ms. Owett said.

The New York Times

"My jaw dropped," Ms. Gillibrand recalled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jaw dropped" to vividly describe a moment of extreme surprise or astonishment.

Common error

Avoid using "jaw dropped" for minor surprises; reserve it for truly remarkable or shocking events to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "jaw dropped" functions as an idiomatic expression to vividly describe a strong reaction of surprise, shock, or amazement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "jaw dropped" is a widely used and grammatically sound idiomatic phrase that effectively conveys a strong feeling of surprise or astonishment. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it serves to emphasize the unexpected or shocking nature of an event. While alternatives like "stunned" or "flabbergasted" exist, "jaw dropped" offers a vivid and recognizable way to describe a moment of intense surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blown away

Indicates being extremely impressed or overwhelmed.

flabbergasted

Conveys a sense of being utterly amazed and bewildered.

dumbfounded

Similar to flabbergasted, implying a state of bewilderment and inability to speak.

stunned

Suggests a state of shock or disbelief.

amazed

Implies a feeling of great surprise and pleasure.

astonished

Implies a strong feeling of surprise and wonder.

speechless

Indicates being unable to speak due to surprise or shock.

awe-struck

Captures a feeling of reverence and amazement.

taken aback

Suggests being surprised, often unpleasantly.

incredulous

Expresses disbelief or skepticism.

FAQs

How can I use "jaw dropped" in a sentence?

You can use "jaw dropped" to describe a strong reaction of surprise or shock, for example, "When she announced her retirement, everyone's jaw dropped."

What are some alternatives to saying "jaw dropped"?

You can use alternatives like "astonished", "stunned", or "flabbergasted" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "jaw dropped"?

Yes, "jaw dropped" is a grammatically correct and commonly used idiomatic expression to indicate surprise or shock.

What does it mean when someone's jaw drops?

When someone's jaw drops, it means they are experiencing a strong feeling of surprise, shock, or amazement.