stifle tears

USAGE SUMMARY

"stifle tears" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when someone is trying to hold back emotions, particularly referring to tears that could be shed during a particularly emotional time. For example, "She tried to stifle her tears as the funeral procession passed in front of her".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Four years ago, the Scot struggled to stifle tears of disappointment in receiving her third consecutive Olympic silver.

Independent

Men are socialised from an early age to stifle tears and keep their composure.

BBC

Isaac pinched his eyes with his fingers, trying to stifle tears.

Los Angeles Times

"I know if my son had a choice, if he knew, I don't think he would have gone," Kauhi said, as she tried to stifle tears.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Here Ms. Holloway stifled tears, or tried to.

The New York Times

Members stifled tears as Cooper read a litany of celebration and transition.

The Washington Post

The 17-year-old Wie stifled tears, extending her left arm and letting her hand dangle.

The New York Times - Sports

Her return yielded up a handful of poignant studio treasures which, with their suppressed smiles and stifled tears, never yield to nostalgia, self-satisfied exuberance, or bathos.

The New Yorker

Acts of bravery, self-sacrifice and sometimes sheer dumb, astonishing luck, as told by brawny men stifling tears tend to be the key components in these movies, and this one is no exception.

The Guardian - Film

I'll be fine,' " Marolyn Kruse said, stifling tears.

Los Angeles Times

He stood on a sidewalk outside the dorm, saying goodbye to Spencer, stifling tears.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stifle tears" to depict a conscious and often visible effort to control the urge to cry in emotionally charged situations. For instance, "During the heartfelt speech, she had to actively "stifle tears" to maintain her composure".

Common error

Avoid using "stifle tears" when describing a lack of emotion or apathy. This phrase is specific to actively suppressing sadness or grief, not a general absence of feelings. If one doesn't feel emotional, avoid using "stifle tears" and instead use phrasing that expresses the absence of emotional response.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stifle tears" is as a verb phrase describing an action. It typically functions as the main verb or part of the verb phrase in a sentence, indicating the attempt to suppress the physical manifestation of sadness or grief. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stifle tears" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the action of holding back tears, as confirmed by Ludwig. While "stifle tears" isn't overwhelmingly common, it appears most frequently in News & Media. Related phrases include "hold back tears" and "suppress tears". When using the phrase, be mindful of its connotation of emotional struggle and active suppression. Avoid using it to express apathy or a genuine lack of emotion. Ludwig's analysis suggests that "stifle tears" effectively conveys the attempt to maintain composure in emotionally charged situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold back tears

Focuses on the act of restraining tears from falling.

suppress tears

Emphasizes the act of consciously preventing tears.

fight back tears

Highlights the struggle against the urge to cry.

choke back tears

Suggests a physical sensation of constriction while trying not to cry.

control tears

Emphasizes the act of keeping tears in check.

restrain tears

Focuses on the effort to keep tears from flowing.

keep tears at bay

Suggests warding off tears, preventing them from emerging.

swallow tears

Conveys the feeling of trying to contain strong emotion.

stifle sobs

Highlights the attempt to suppress a more intense form of crying.

mask sadness

Focuses more broadly on hiding the underlying emotion.

FAQs

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

You can use "stifle tears" to describe someone actively trying to hold back their crying. For example: "He tried to "stifle tears" as he spoke about his late friend."

What are some alternatives to "stifle tears"?

Some alternatives include "hold back tears", "suppress tears", or "fight back tears".

Is "stifle tears" formal or informal?

"Stifle tears" is considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in written narrative or descriptive contexts.

What's the difference between "stifle tears" and "shed tears"?

"Stifle tears" means to actively try to prevent oneself from crying, whereas "shed tears" means to cry or release tears. One is the act of preventing crying, while the other is the act of crying.