sharp sigh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sharp sigh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sigh that is sudden and intense, often conveying strong emotion such as frustration or disappointment. Example: "After hearing the news, she let out a sharp sigh, feeling the weight of the situation settle in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Grand Central!" one of them said with a sharp sigh of relief.

The New Yorker

Then a silence, and into that silence, a sharp sigh or a sound like a whistle through a keyhole: the body exsanguinates, and its flat little presence becomes a puddle of gore".

The New York Times - Books

The book closes as the king, "like the minotaur, breaths unseen in a labyrinth of rooms" while down river the sword that comes down on the queen's neck is "a sharp sigh or a sound like a whistle through a keyhole", and her "flat little presence becomes a puddle of gore".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It would have been nice if we had known to do that before we had built all the bays and the reconditioning facilities," Sharp sighs.

Forbes

Huston gave him a sharp glance, then sighed and put his long legs up on the desk.

The New Yorker

Our dogs would begin to clamor for dinner -- sharp stares, deep sighs, contagious grins -- and once it was time for their dinner, it was time to feed the horses and the cats and then, eventually, ourselves.

The New York Times

“It is very hard to cook scrambled eggs for 12 people,” says the chef in his sharp French accent, sighing, “with only a microwave oven.”.

Forbes

I withdraw the needle with a huge sigh of relief and toss the sharps into my hazardous waste bin.

Huffington Post

It's stunning: Allen swoons and sighs over a beat that's equal parts sharp clarity and dreamy tactility.

The Guardian - Music

Then, with a deep sigh, he stepped into the cougar-infested wilderness with nothing more than a sharp knife.

The New York Times - Travel

Glaswegian Marnie and Bulgarian Aroyo, the sharp, stylish women whose sweet, icy voices carry Ladytron's records, look at each other, sigh theatrically, and laugh like drains.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sharp sigh" to vividly depict a character's sudden emotional response to news, a realization, or a stressful situation. It effectively conveys a sense of immediacy and intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "sharp sigh" when a more prolonged or gentle sigh is intended. The word "sharp" implies a quick, almost involuntary release of breath, typically associated with negative emotions or surprise, not contentment or relaxation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sharp sigh" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "sharp" modifies the noun "sigh". It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, vividly describing the nature of the sigh as sudden and intense, as evidenced in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sharp sigh" is a grammatically sound and evocative way to describe a sudden and intense exhalation of breath, typically expressing strong emotions like relief or disappointment. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is used correctly in existing sentences. While not as common as other types of sighs, its use is appropriate for conveying immediacy and intensity, especially in descriptive writing within news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended emotion, avoiding its application where a gentler or more prolonged sigh is more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

audible sigh of relief

Emphasizes the relief aspect, making the sigh a clear and noticeable expression of it.

quick sigh of exasperation

Specifies the emotion behind the sigh, indicating frustration or annoyance.

heavy sigh of resignation

Highlights the feeling of resignation or acceptance of something unpleasant.

abrupt sigh of sadness

Highlights the sudden expression of sadness.

sudden exhalation

Focuses on the physical act of sighing, highlighting its abruptness.

startled sigh

Emphasizes the unexpected or surprising nature of the sigh.

exasperated exhale

Uses "exhale" instead of "sigh", maintaining the sense of releasing breath in frustration.

short gasp of disappointment

Replaces the sigh with a gasp, emphasizing a sudden intake of breath due to disappointment.

audible release of breath

Focuses on the audible and noticeable aspect of releasing breath, similar to a sigh.

sharp intake of breath

Describes the opposite action – a quick inhalation – often preceding a sigh.

FAQs

What does "sharp sigh" mean?

A "sharp sigh" is a sudden, noticeable exhalation of breath that often expresses a strong emotion such as relief, disappointment, or exasperation. It's more abrupt and intense than a regular sigh.

How can I use "sharp sigh" in a sentence?

You can use "sharp sigh" to describe a character's immediate reaction to surprising or disheartening news. For example, "Upon hearing the verdict, she let out a "sharp sigh".".

What are some alternatives to "sharp sigh"?

Alternatives include "audible sigh of relief", "heavy sigh of resignation", or "quick sigh of exasperation", depending on the specific emotion you want to convey.

Is "sharp sigh" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct and understandable, "sharp sigh" is not as common as alternatives like "deep sigh" or "heavy sigh". Its usage tends to be more specific, emphasizing the suddenness and intensity of the sigh.