met with a smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "met with a smile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is greeted or responded to positively, often indicating warmth or friendliness. Example: "When she entered the room, she was met with a smile from everyone, making her feel welcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This enquiry met with a smile but no answer, according to a report in yesterday's Haaretz.

Independent

Visitors to his sushi bar are met with a smile and a talk-show host's knack for one-liners.

The New York Times - Food

If you ventured a "Bona riah, cove" and you were met with a smile and a thank you, you were probably safe.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mention of its name -- it is known as the U.C.I. from its initials in French -- is usually met with a smile and a shrug.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Maliki was met with a smile and a handshake at Erbil airport by Massoud Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan region, who had previously likened Mr. Maliki to a dictator.

The New York Times

I forgave her, because having once been in my early 20s myself, I know that most things people say when they're that age should be met with a smile and instant amnesia.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Greet the people you meet with a smile, or just keep yourselves — it's up to you.

WikiHow

This is why an ironic comment will sometimes be met with a perplexed smile by an unwary American.

The Guardian - Film

David Haye's announcement that he is to hang up the gloves and move into acting will be met with a wry smile by many in the fight game: if politics is show-business for ugly people, boxing is show-business for people who are too hard for dancing and make-up.

BBC

Attempts to engage him in small talk were met with an easy smile and a polite reply — if only a soft-spoken "yo" — but little more.

The New York Times

Furious, Horner asked Shore what he was doing, and when met with only a smile in response, knocked Shore out cold with one punch.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "met with a smile" to clearly convey a positive reception or friendly greeting in your writing. It adds a touch of warmth and approachability to the scene or interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "meet with a smile" when you intend to convey that someone received a smile. "Met with a smile" correctly indicates that the person was greeted with a smile.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "met with a smile" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a positive and welcoming reaction. It usually modifies a noun or pronoun, describing how someone or something was received. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable. The provided examples illustrate its descriptive capability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "met with a smile" is a grammatically correct and idiomatically sound expression denoting a positive and welcoming reception. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While its frequency is uncommon, it finds prominence in news and media contexts, conveying warmth and approval. When writing, ensure you are using "met", the past participle, rather than "meet". Alternatives like "greeted with a smile" or "welcomed with a smile" can also be considered to vary your phrasing. As Ludwig shows, this phrase adds a touch of positivity to your writing and effectively communicates a friendly atmosphere.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greeted with a smile

Replaces "met" with "greeted", emphasizing the act of welcoming someone with a smile.

welcomed with a smile

Similar to "greeted with a smile", but emphasizes the welcoming aspect of the reception.

received with a smile

Focuses on the act of receiving a positive response characterized by a smile.

responded to with a smile

Highlights the response being a smile, indicating a positive reaction.

given a smiling reception

Changes the structure to emphasize the type of reception received.

faced with a smile

Implies confronting a situation with a positive attitude.

presented with a smile

Indicates that something was offered or shown with a pleasant expression.

confronted with a smile

Suggests facing a challenge or opposition with a smile.

acknowledged with a smile

Highlights the recognition or acknowledgment given through a smile.

encountered with a smile

Focuses on the act of encountering someone or something with a positive expression.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something was "met with a smile"?

Saying something was "met with a smile" means that it was "received with a smile" or a positive reaction. It suggests approval, agreement, or a friendly response.

What can I say instead of "met with a smile"?

You can use alternatives like "greeted with a smile", "welcomed with a smile", or "responded to positively" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "meet with a smile"?

No, the correct phrasing is "met with a smile". "Met" is the past participle of "meet" and indicates that something was received in a specific way.

How do I use "met with a smile" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "Her suggestion was "met with a smile" from the team", indicating they approved of her idea.