sour look

USAGE SUMMARY

"sour look" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone who appears to be in a bad mood or having a negative attitude. Example: The teacher gave the students a sour look when they began to talk during her lecture.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Almonte's face twisted into a sour look.

The New York Times - Sports

She'd give me a sour look and start again.

The New York Times - Magazine

"She opens the box and she has that sour look.

The New York Times

"She opens the envelope and there's a sour look on her face.

The New York Times

"Everybody came in with a real sour look on their faces this morning.

The New York Times - Sports

The sour look on the faces of his audience told a very different story.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

I just made a few sour looking swings coming in there".

The New York Times - Sports

I hated Wales, hated the grim hotel, the sour looks when Simon signed us in.

The Guardian

It only won for screenwriting — a disappointment judging from the subsequent sour looks on the face of Jason Reitman, a co-writer and director of the picture.

The New York Times

The economy ministry also hopes to cut its interest burden by strong-arming pension funds (over sour looks from the big rating agencies) to swap short-dated government paper for long-term bonds.

The Economist

To them, Brighton Beach, in the eastern part of Brooklyn's Coney Island peninsula, is a place frozen in time -- a Brezhnev-era closed world, one full of sour looks, suspicion, and hopelessly outdated fashion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sour look" to succinctly describe someone's facial expression when they are clearly displeased or disapproving. It's more impactful than simply saying they are "unhappy".

Common error

Avoid using "sour look" when a more intense expression like "scowl" or "glare" is more appropriate. A "sour look" suggests mild displeasure, not outright anger.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sour look" functions primarily as a descriptive element, characterizing a facial expression. Ludwig examples show its use in news and literary contexts to convey a person's mood or reaction to a situation. It depicts a visible manifestation of displeasure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sour look" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a facial expression of displeasure or disapproval. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples reveals its prevalence in news and media contexts, showcasing its utility in objective reporting and descriptive storytelling. While alternatives like "disgruntled expression" or "unhappy face" exist, "sour look" provides a concise and impactful way to convey a specific negative emotion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's essential to consider the intensity of the emotion when using this phrase, ensuring it accurately reflects the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bitter expression

Replace "sour" with "bitter" to show a resentful attitude.

disgruntled expression

Replaces the adjective "sour" with "disgruntled" to emphasize dissatisfaction.

unhappy face

Substitutes "look" with "face" and "sour" with "unhappy", creating a simpler alternative.

displeased countenance

Uses more formal vocabulary like "countenance" and "displeased" to convey a similar meaning.

frown

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word indicating a facial expression of displeasure.

grimace

Similar to a frown, but suggests a more intense or pained expression.

scowl

Implies a more intense and angry facial expression than a "sour look".

resentful glare

This option focus on the anger through the word "glare"

unfriendly gaze

Focuses on the eyes rather than the overall facial expression, suggesting hostility.

negative demeanor

Shifts from facial expression to overall behavior, suggesting a general negativity.

FAQs

How can I describe a "sour look"?

A "sour look" typically involves a slight frown, pursed lips, and a general expression of displeasure or disapproval. It's a subtle way of showing unhappiness.

What's a more intense version of a "sour look"?

If you want to convey stronger anger or disapproval, consider using words like "scowl" or "glare" instead of "sour look".

Is there a difference between a "sour look" and a "disappointed look"?

While both suggest unhappiness, a "sour look" implies more disapproval or bitterness, whereas a "disappointed look" suggests sadness that expectations were not met.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "sour look"?

Use "sour look" when you want to describe a facial expression that conveys mild displeasure, resentment, or disapproval, often in response to a specific situation or comment.