my spirits lifted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my spirits lifted" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it when talking about a feeling of being happier or more optimistic. For example: "After talking to my friend, my spirits lifted and I felt more hopeful about my situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

My spirits lifted.

The New York Times - Food

My spirits lifted as soon as I got going.

The New Yorker

At the Nice tourist board, at the train station, my spirits lifted.

The New York Times - Travel

My spirits lifted when Pearson wrote that "designing my own garden was one of the most difficult things I have ever done".

The New York Times - Books

I put two in my garden this summer, and every time I walked by, brushing them with my hand or bare leg, my spirits lifted.

The New York Times

My spirits lifted when, a week before I was due to leave for Namibia, one of my best mates announced out of the blue that he was quitting his job to spend five months skiing in Canada.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

At first I can't find it, and for a brief moment my spirits lift.

The New York Times - Health

Five minutes there, kneeling to weed, putting my hands into soil, and my spirits lift.

The Guardian - Opinion

Walking back over the headland, my spirits lift; there are lizards, cashew-nut trees and colourful birds.

The Guardian - Travel

My spirits lift (and my upper arms collapse) when we enter the mysterious dark world of the mangrove, with its dank exposed roots and pervasive silence.

The New York Times - Travel

Ah, but my spirits lift at the sight, and I enjoy a moment of mild Schadenfreude when I realize that the docking is something my soon-to-be-fellow voyagers, already aboard, will not get to see.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my spirits lifted" to express a sense of renewed hope or happiness, particularly when describing a change from a negative to a positive emotional state.

Common error

While appropriate in many situations, avoid using "my spirits lifted" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more neutral or precise language like "my mood improved" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my spirits lifted" functions as an idiomatic expression to describe a shift in emotional state. It indicates a transition from sadness, discouragement, or general low spirits to a feeling of happiness, hope, or encouragement, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "my spirits lifted" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a feeling of increased happiness or optimism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it is best to consider the register of your writing; in more formal settings, alternatives like "my mood improved" may be more appropriate. Remember that while the phrase can effectively describe a positive change in emotional state, it might be wise to use other alternatives to describe a new state of happiness or optimism like "i felt uplifted".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my spirits rose

Similar to the original phrase, but uses 'rose' instead of 'lifted'.

i felt uplifted

Focuses on the feeling of being raised emotionally or spiritually, rather than a general improvement in mood.

my mood improved

Directly states that the emotional state became better, lacking the nuance of being 'lifted'.

i was cheered up

Passive voice emphasizing that something or someone caused the improvement in mood.

i became more cheerful

Emphasizes a change in demeanor towards being more joyful and positive.

my outlook brightened

Highlights a shift towards a more positive perspective or expectation.

i perked up

Indicates a sudden increase in energy and enthusiasm, often after feeling down.

my heart soared

Uses a more dramatic and figurative expression for feeling extremely happy or elated.

i felt a surge of happiness

Highlights the sudden rush of positive emotion, rather than a gradual lifting of spirits.

i felt encouraged

Focuses on feeling supported and motivated, which might lead to lifted spirits.

FAQs

How can I use "my spirits lifted" in a sentence?

You can use "my spirits lifted" to describe a feeling of increased happiness or optimism. For example, "After hearing the good news, "my spirits lifted" and I felt much more hopeful."

What's a more formal alternative to "my spirits lifted"?

In more formal contexts, you might consider using phrases like "my mood improved" or "I felt a sense of renewed optimism" instead of "my spirits lifted".

What does it mean to say that "my spirits lifted"?

Saying that "my spirits lifted" means that you experienced an improvement in your emotional state, typically moving from sadness or discouragement to happiness or hopefulness.

Is "my spirits lifted" the same as "my spirits rose"?

Yes, "my spirits lifted" and "my spirits rose" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably to describe an increase in happiness or optimism.