tacit nod

USAGE SUMMARY

"tacit nod" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a silent or unspoken agreement or acknowledgment. For example: "He gave a tacit nod of approval when she presented her idea." Alternative expressions include "silent agreement" and "unspoken acknowledgment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It has received support from the media and even a tacit nod from Turkey's main opposition party.

The New York Times

Though Mr. Daley never publicly chose sides in the mayoral race last winter, he is widely believed to have given a tacit nod to Mr. Emanuel.

The New York Times

Her endorsement of Mr. Kerry a week before the Iowa caucuses was widely interpreted as a tacit nod from her husband.

The New York Times

But the Group of 20 communiqué stated that "Japan's recent policy actions are intended to stop deflation and support domestic demand," a tacit nod to the recent round of easing.

The New York Times

Mr. Santorum spoke at the cathedral the day before and earned a tacit nod from its pastor, Mike Lewis, who removed his coat to reveal a sweater vest, Mr. Santorum's signature fashion statement.

The New York Times

Xi will be hoping for French – and by extension EU – approval for his expansionist Belt and Road initiative and a tacit nod to China's ambitions to establish itself as an alternative to the US in a new world order.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Others have tacitly nodded too.

Forbes

It can offer some tacit head nods in the direction of office applications but no one would be fooled into preparing a presentation or a spreadsheet on this thing.

TechCrunch

But they nod in tacit agreement.

Huffington Post

Cook, nodding tacitly at the next phase of the debate, subtly called on the government to come clean.

The Guardian

His remarks were a rare nod to the tacit economic stakes in the Libyan conflict for the United States and other Western countries, not only because of Libya's oil resources but also because of the goods and services those resources enable it to purchase.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tacit nod" when you want to convey subtle, unspoken approval or agreement, often without direct acknowledgment. It's particularly effective in describing political or social situations where open endorsement might be avoided.

Common error

Avoid using "tacit nod" to describe situations where there is explicit agreement or a formal endorsement. The phrase specifically refers to unspoken or implied approval, not overt support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tacit nod" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb. It describes a subtle or unspoken form of approval or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to describe implied consent without explicit communication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tacit nod" signifies an unspoken agreement or subtle form of approval, often used in contexts where direct endorsement is avoided. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in news and media, as well as formal business settings. While semantically related phrases like "implied approval" or "unspoken agreement" exist, "tacit nod" uniquely captures the nuance of indirect communication. As a writer, using "tacit nod" effectively can add depth and subtlety to your descriptions of complex social or political scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subtle approval

Emphasizes the understated nature of the approval.

implied approval

Focuses more directly on the approval aspect, omitting the subtlety implied by "nod".

understood acceptance

Highlights the understanding that exists, implying agreement.

unspoken agreement

Emphasizes the agreement aspect, losing the nuance of a gesture or signal.

hint of approval

Suggests a slight or indirect indication of support.

implicit consent

Highlights the aspect of permission or allowance, which may be too strong for some contexts where "tacit nod" is used.

silent acquiescence

Focuses on acceptance without protest or explicit agreement.

veiled endorsement

Implies a more concealed and perhaps strategic form of support.

wink and a nod

Suggests a more informal, conspiratorial form of agreement.

under-the-table approval

Implies a secret, usually illicit, form of approval.

FAQs

How can I use "tacit nod" in a sentence?

You can use "tacit nod" to describe a situation where someone shows approval or agreement without saying so directly. For example: "The proposal received a "tacit nod" from the committee chairman."

What's a similar expression to "tacit nod"?

Alternatives to "tacit nod" include "implied approval", "unspoken agreement", or "subtle approval", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "tacit nod" formal or informal?

"Tacit nod" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It appears frequently in news articles and opinion pieces, as well as in more academic or analytical writing.

What does "tacit" mean in the context of "tacit nod"?

In "tacit nod", "tacit" means expressed or understood without being directly stated. It implies that the approval or agreement is communicated indirectly or subtly.