pale as death

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pale as death" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who looks extremely pale, often due to fear, illness, or shock. Example: "When she heard the news, she turned pale as death." Alternative expressions include "pale as a ghost" and "pale as a sheet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Marie-Louise Marie-Louise Pailleronite dresitsooking straight ahead, her face as pale as death.

The Guardian - Arts

The offended Tatiana ran from the room, "pale as death".

Wikipedia

The shocked Tatiana ran from the room, "pale as death," and her younger sister Maria scolded the guards for their bad language.

Wikipedia

Garfield was so overwhelmed with emotion after winning the nomination that an Inter Ocean reporter noted that he looked "pale as death, and seemed to be half-unconsciously to receive the congratulations of his friends".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The underside is pale, as are the spiracle papillae.

Wikipedia

As pale and skeletal as death's handmaiden, she endows Fosca with a directness and honesty that makes her the most sympathetic — and perversely sane — I have seen.

The New York Times

Photographically, he is clearly portrayed as death on a pale horse at the movie's conclusion.

The New York Times

O bosom black as death!

The New Yorker

And excitement comes as death.

The New York Times - Arts

Time passes, as slow as death.

The New Yorker

But not as empty as death.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pale as death" to vividly describe someone's appearance when they are experiencing extreme fear, shock, or illness. Ensure the context aligns with this intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "pale as death" too frequently, as it can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions with other expressions like "white as a sheet" or "ashen-faced" to maintain the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pale as death" functions primarily as a simile, using the comparison to death to emphasize the extreme degree of paleness. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a valid and descriptive way to portray someone's appearance under distress or shock.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pale as death" is a simile used to describe extreme paleness, typically caused by shock, fear, or illness. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and understandable. While its frequency is rare, it effectively conveys a vivid image. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as in wiki entries. For more formal writing, consider using more neutral alternatives, and remember to avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Related phrases include "white as a ghost" and "deathly pale".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deathly pale

Directly links the paleness to death.

white as a ghost

Focuses on the extreme whiteness and ghostly appearance.

ghostly white

Uses the imagery of a ghost to convey extreme paleness.

white as a sheet

Emphasizes the lack of color, like a blank sheet of paper.

sickly pale

Connects the paleness with illness or poor health.

ashen-faced

Describes a face that has turned pale and gray.

wan

Describes a pale and sickly appearance.

livid

Indicates a pale, discolored appearance often due to shock or anger.

bloodless

Suggests a complete absence of blood, leading to paleness.

colorless

Simplifies the description to a lack of color.

FAQs

What does "pale as death" mean?

The phrase "pale as death" describes someone who is extremely pale, usually due to fear, illness, or shock. It implies a loss of color in the face, resembling the pallor associated with death.

What are some alternatives to saying "pale as death"?

You can use alternatives like "white as a ghost", "ashen-faced", or "deathly pale" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "pale as death" in formal writing?

While "pale as death" is widely understood, it might be considered somewhat dramatic for formal writing. In such contexts, a more neutral term like "extremely pale" could be more suitable.

How can I use "pale as death" in a sentence?

You can use "pale as death" to describe someone's appearance, such as: "When she heard the news, she turned "pale as death"".