salty tears

USAGE SUMMARY

"salty tears" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a really strong reaction to emotions, such as when someone is feeling overwhelmed with sadness, anger, or grief. For example, "She wept salty tears as she said goodbye to her beloved pet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"We have salty tears and salty perspiration.

Independent

Read it until salty tears fill his Iberian eyes and he can read no longer.

The New Yorker

As I cuddled my baby in the dark, hot, salty tears began streaming down my cheeks.

The New York Times

Salty tears making glistening streaks down the blending blackness of his face.

The New Yorker

Cry Salty Tears was reprinted almost as soon as it was published.

The Guardian - Books

Salty tears began to flow from his closed eyes, slowly tracing the hot grooves of his cheeks.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Each left behind a red or pale yellow rose, a mumbled word or a salty tear.

The New York Times

Then I felt it... a weighty, wet, salty tear slip out of the corner of my eye.

Huffington Post

Ideas like mind reading wall installations made by coders with lightning fingers, along with laser eyeballs, salty tear strewn walls, and illuminated babies.

Vice

He'd touched the damp cloth with his tongue; the moisture was salty — probably tears.

The New Yorker

Look out to the Irish sea, slip on your iPod and feel the same devastating wrench of emotion that inspired Echo and the Bunnymen's music while the wild salty wind tears your eyes to shreds.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "salty tears" to vividly describe the emotional intensity of crying, particularly when emphasizing feelings of sadness, grief, or pain. It adds a tactile dimension to the description, enhancing the reader's understanding of the character's emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "salty tears" in situations that are not genuinely emotional or dramatic. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic or insincere. Reserve it for moments of significant emotional weight.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "salty tears" is that of a noun phrase. It acts as a descriptor of the tears themselves, emphasizing their emotional origin and composition, and it's used as a direct object, subject, or prepositional object in sentences, as evidenced by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "salty tears" is a common and vivid way to describe crying, particularly when the emotion is intense. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in a wide range of writing. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using "salty tears", it's important to consider the emotional weight you wish to convey, as it can easily sound melodramatic if used inappropriately. Alternatives like "bitter tears" or "tears of sorrow" can offer subtle variations in meaning. The expression effectively communicates sadness, grief, or pain, creating a tactile and emotional connection with the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bitter tears

Focuses on the feeling of resentment or deep sadness associated with the tears.

tears of sorrow

Highlights the cause of the tears as being sorrowful events or feelings.

hot tears

Emphasizes the physical sensation of the tears, suggesting intense emotion.

sad tears

Directly states the emotion linked with the tears, indicating sadness.

uncontrollable weeping

Highlights the lack of control over crying, pointing to intense distress.

crying one's eyes out

An idiomatic expression for crying intensely for a prolonged period.

burst into tears

Describes the sudden onset of crying, indicating a strong emotional trigger.

shed tears

A more formal way to say someone is crying, often used in literary contexts.

well up with tears

Describes the initial stage of crying when tears start to gather in the eyes.

tears streaming down

Focuses on the physical act of tears flowing down the face.

FAQs

How can I use "salty tears" in a sentence?

You can use "salty tears" to describe the act of crying intensely. For example, "As she heard the news, "salty tears" streamed down her face".

What are some synonyms for "salty tears"?

Alternatives include "bitter tears", "tears of sorrow", or describing the action, like "shed tears".

Is "salty tears" an idiom?

"Salty tears" is not technically an idiom but a descriptive phrase. It evokes the taste of tears, emphasizing strong emotion.

What's the difference between "salty tears" and "fresh tears"?

While "salty tears" is commonly used, "fresh tears" isn't a standard expression. "Salty tears" emphasizes the emotional intensity, while "fresh tears" could refer to recently shed tears without implying strong emotion. Therefore use "salty tears" in a relevant situation.