mask feelings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mask feelings" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the act of concealing or hiding one's emotions. Example: "He tends to mask his feelings to avoid showing vulnerability." Alternative expressions include "hide emotions" and "conceal feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Plus, those in the real world know that to succeed it is usually necessary to mask feelings.

Huffington Post

This type of me-versus-everyone mentality and behavior is often a misguided attempt to mask feelings of emptiness and shame.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They act indifferently or hostile in school, though that often masks feelings of hopelessness and anxiety.

The New York Times

In this case, you don't expect a charming piano ditty — one that alludes to Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" — to openly espouse the normally masked feelings of American reality: fear, crass self-interest, proud ignorance, bigotry.

The New Yorker

Others are concerned about drug interactions and over-drugging mom and perhaps masking feelings that she needs the opportunity to process.

Huffington Post

Humor is a good means for masking feelings, allowing you to make things more mysterious by fending off questioning, and replacing any probing with deflective quips, one-liners, and general reduction of the situation to one that should only be laughed about.

WikiHow

Every third or fourth mouth covered with a surgical mask; those without masks feeling just that tiny bit sorrier for ourselves, but then again not really caring.

The New York Times - Magazine

Also, patients may mask their feelings.

The New Yorker

Mr de Freitas also described how his daughter feared being sectioned again and would try to "mask" her feelings.

Independent

He had to mask his feelings, however; overtly pro-Jewish music would presumably have been frowned on in Stalin's Russia, even at that time.

The Guardian - Music

Otherwise, you need to mask irrational feelings and behave politely around people you dislike for no particular reason, just like everyone else in the universe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mask feelings" when you want to emphasize the act of concealing emotions, often to protect oneself or to maintain a certain appearance.

Common error

While "mask feelings" is a valid expression, avoid using it excessively. Vary your language by using synonyms like "conceal emotions" or "hide feelings" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mask feelings" functions as a verb phrase where "mask" acts as a transitive verb taking "feelings" as its direct object. It describes the action of concealing or hiding one's emotions. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mask feelings" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes the act of concealing one's emotions. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is suitable for use in written English. While it appears most often in news and media, it's versatile enough for various contexts. Remember to consider alternative phrases like "hide emotions" or "conceal feelings" to add variety to your writing and avoid overuse. Be mindful of the potential downsides of consistently "masking emotions", as it can have negative impacts on mental well-being.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conceal emotions

Focuses on hiding emotions completely.

hide feelings

A more straightforward way to say "mask feelings".

suppress emotions

Implies actively holding back emotions.

bottle up feelings

Suggests containing emotions internally over time.

repress emotions

A more clinical term for suppressing emotions, often unconsciously.

disguise emotions

Implies changing the outward appearance of emotions.

veil emotions

Suggests a subtle covering of emotions.

camouflage feelings

Similar to disguise, but with a stronger sense of deception.

keep feelings in check

Focuses on controlling the expression of feelings.

put on a facade

Suggests creating a false outward appearance to hide true feelings.

FAQs

What does it mean to "mask feelings"?

To "mask feelings" means to hide or conceal one's true emotions, often presenting a different emotional state to others.

How can I use "mask feelings" in a sentence?

You can say, "He tends to "mask his feelings" to appear strong" or "She might "mask her true feelings" with a smile".

What are some alternatives to "mask feelings"?

Alternatives include "hide emotions", "conceal feelings", or "suppress emotions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it healthy to "mask feelings"?

While it may be necessary in certain situations, consistently "masking feelings" can be detrimental to mental health. It's important to find healthy ways to express and process emotions.