spirits lifted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spirits lifted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of increased happiness or positivity, often after a change in circumstances or after receiving good news. Example: "After hearing the good news about her promotion, her spirits were lifted, and she felt ready to take on new challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Her spirits lifted.

The New Yorker

My spirits lifted.

The New York Times - Food

And suddenly our spirits lifted.

The New York Times - Travel

My spirits lifted as soon as I got going.

The New Yorker

We drank the good, strong tea as the dessert arrived, and Fellowes's spirits lifted.

The New York Times - Magazine

One movement for equality had its spirits lifted and another had them crushed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Our spirits lift immediately.

The Economist

Our spirits lift and our legs feel lighter.

The New York Times

At first I can't find it, and for a brief moment my spirits lift.

The New York Times - Health

Five minutes there, kneeling to weed, putting my hands into soil, and my spirits lift.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our spirits lifting, we walked as we ate and forgot all about the pie as it went on baking.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spirits lifted" to describe a noticeable improvement in someone's mood or overall emotional state, especially after a period of sadness or discouragement. For instance, "After receiving the good news, their "spirits lifted" immediately."

Common error

Avoid using "spirits lifted" in highly formal or technical writing. While widely accepted, it's better suited for general news, personal narratives, or descriptive content rather than academic or scientific papers. Consider using a more neutral phrase such as "mood improved" in formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spirits lifted" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change in emotional state. It describes the action of someone's mood or overall emotional condition improving. Ludwig examples confirm its common usage in various contexts to express a positive shift in feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spirits lifted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase to describe an improvement in someone's mood or emotional state. As noted by Ludwig, it is widely accepted and appears frequently in various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to slightly informal writing, with alternatives like "mood improved" being more appropriate for highly formal settings. The phrase conveys a sense of relief, joy, or encouragement, making it a useful tool for expressing positive emotional shifts in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mood improved

Focuses on the general emotional state becoming better.

became more cheerful

Emphasizes the increase in happiness and lightheartedness.

hearts gladdened

Highlights the feeling of joy and pleasure.

felt uplifted

Indicates a sense of being raised emotionally or spiritually.

gained encouragement

Suggests receiving motivation and confidence.

became optimistic

Highlights a shift towards a more positive outlook.

regained hope

Emphasizes the return of hopeful feelings after a period of discouragement.

brightened up

A more informal way of saying someone's mood improved.

perked up

Similar to "brightened up" but implies a sudden improvement.

were heartened

Indicates an increase in courage or resolve.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says their "spirits lifted"?

When someone says their "spirits lifted", it means their mood improved. It suggests they felt happier or more encouraged, often after a period of sadness or discouragement.

How can I use "spirits lifted" in a sentence?

You can use "spirits lifted" to describe someone's mood improving after a positive event. For example, "Her spirits lifted after receiving the acceptance letter."

What can I say instead of "spirits lifted"?

You can use alternatives like "mood improved", "felt uplifted", or "became more cheerful", depending on the context.

Is "spirits lifted" formal or informal?

"Spirits lifted" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. While widely used in news and general writing, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives such as "mood improved".