sour expression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sour expression" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a facial expression that conveys displeasure or discontent. For example, "He wore a sour expression when he heard the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

His sour expression never changed.

The New York Times - Sports

Motahari had a sour expression, recessive and thin-lipped, beneath a dark brow.

The New Yorker

These days, he wears the sour expression of a man who's been cheated at cards.

The New Yorker

The woman listens to my wife's assertions with a sour expression and then gets out of my way.

The New York Times

It was, after all, impossible not to laugh when he made a sour expression after sampling puréed green beans.

The New York Times

The San Francisco Chronicle's Ray Ratto looks beyond the sour expression on the face of Stanford Coach Trent Johnson.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

People arrived with anxious, sour expressions but once inside got caught up in the post-transactional thrum.

The New Yorker

A visitor in the lobby at the team's hotel noted the sour expressions many of the players wore as they came and went Saturday afternoon.

The New York Times - Sports

This meant a lot of people parked on squishy Naugahyde divans with rolling suitcases betwixt their knees and sour expressions on their faces.

The New York Times

The answer, in part: by showing people with sour expressions or bowed heads, children in ragged clothing, old people begging for change or other images so dreary that, according to a panel of experts convened by the prosecutors, "a foreigner unfamiliar with Uzbekistan will conclude that this is a country where people live in the Middle Ages".

The New York Times

Yes, these millions of corpses had sour expressions on their faces - and still the question floated among us.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sour expression" to vividly portray a character's negative reaction or displeasure, adding depth to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "sour expression" when intending to describe a thoughtful or neutral face. It strictly implies negativity, so ensure the context aligns with this meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sour expression" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, modifying an individual's appearance and conveying their emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in denoting displeasure or discontent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sour expression" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a facial expression indicating displeasure or discontent. While its frequency is uncommon, it is readily understood and appropriate in various contexts, ranging from news articles to informal writing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage. When writing, make sure to reserve it to describe negative reaction. Some alternatives are "displeased look", "unhappy countenance", and "grimace of distaste". Ludwig, and the analysis of several examples across different sources, reveals that it serves the communicative function of expressing negative emotions via physical description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

displeased look

Replaces "sour" with "displeased", focusing on the emotion behind the expression.

look of displeasure

Directly states the emotion being conveyed in the facial expression.

unhappy countenance

Substitutes both words for more formal alternatives, emphasizing the facial appearance.

scowl of discontent

Employs "scowl" to denote a more intense negative expression.

grimace of distaste

Uses "grimace" to suggest a more pronounced negative reaction.

frown of disapproval

Replaces "sour expression" with a more direct indication of disapproval.

disapproving face

Simplifies the phrase to focus solely on the negative aspect of the facial expression.

pained expression

Indicates suffering or discomfort, not just displeasure.

resentful gaze

Highlights the element of resentment or bitterness in the look.

a face like vinegar

Uses a simile to describe a highly unpleasant facial expression.

FAQs

How can I use "sour expression" in a sentence?

You can use "sour expression" to describe someone's face when they are displeased or unhappy. For example, "He had a "sour expression" on his face when he heard the news."

What are some synonyms for "sour expression"?

Alternatives to "sour expression" include "displeased look", "unhappy countenance", or "grimace of distaste", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sour expression" in formal writing?

Yes, "sour expression" is appropriate in both formal and informal writing, though more formal alternatives like "unhappy countenance" might be preferred in some contexts.

What does it mean when someone's face is described as having a "sour expression"?

A "sour expression" indicates that someone is showing displeasure, discontent, or unhappiness through their facial features.