terrible look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terrible look" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's appearance or expression that is perceived as unattractive or unappealing. Example: "When she walked in wearing that outfit, everyone gave her a terrible look."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

There are no tears, but a terrible look of fear.

The Guardian

Today will see the end of this family!" The terrible look on her face announced to me that this was no joke.

The New Yorker

Grant Doyle played the Don as a dressed-down hedge-fund type, floppy hair and very crisp jeans with blazer – a terrible look but just the job here.

The Guardian - Music

"When I saw his picture in Reforma," Dr. Maldonado said, "the first thing I thought was, this is what I had imagined, exactly -- a man with a friendly face, but with a halfway terrible look".

The New York Times

Letting a hot head coach quit after two 10-win seasons would have been a terrible look, and made it very hard for the Birds to lure in any competent head coach going forward.

Huffington Post

This was, remember, a more innocent time, and we didn't even have MySpace, let alone Twitter, so the only way to look like you knew what terrible, terrible look Hell was rocking back then was to either go to clubs or buy the records.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Terrible, looking back.

The Guardian

I asked him what terrible looks like.

The New York Times

"It's a terrible looking place but they are so good to the animals".

The New York Times

Unfortunately for me, using the included software renders terrible looking images.

TechCrunch

While house hunting is terrible, looking for a roommate is even worse.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state, use "terrible look" to quickly convey fear, distress, or shock.

Common error

Avoid using "terrible look" when a milder expression like sadness or disappointment is more appropriate. The phrase implies a significant degree of negativity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrible look" functions as a descriptive expression, often used to characterize someone's facial expression or overall appearance as extremely negative or unpleasant. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terrible look" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, typically employed to depict a strongly negative expression or appearance. Its usage is more frequent in contexts such as News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the intensity matches the intended emotion, as it conveys a significant level of negativity. Consider alternatives like "awful appearance" or "dreadful sight" to fine-tune your descriptive language. While "terrible look" is suitable for various contexts, be mindful of its implications and choose it thoughtfully to precisely convey the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awful appearance

Replaces "terrible" with "awful", emphasizing the unpleasant nature of the appearance.

dreadful sight

Substitutes "terrible" with "dreadful" and "look" with "sight", highlighting the unpleasant visual impact.

ghastly visage

Uses more formal and dramatic language to describe a very unpleasant face.

unpleasant expression

Focuses on the facial expression being displeasing rather than the overall appearance.

frightful aspect

Employs "frightful" to amplify the negativity and "aspect" to denote overall presentation.

horrendous face

Directly refers to the face as being extremely unpleasant.

gruesome countenance

Uses stronger, more graphic terms to describe a particularly unpleasant facial appearance.

bad appearance

Simplifies the phrase, replacing "terrible" with the more general "bad".

poor visual

Generalizes the negative assessment to a simple, direct statement about visual quality.

unappealing presentation

Shifts the focus to the overall presentation being unattractive or undesirable.

FAQs

How can I use "terrible look" in a sentence?

You can use "terrible look" to describe someone's expression or appearance that conveys strong negative emotions like fear or disgust. For example: "She had a "terrible look" on her face when she saw the snake".

What are some synonyms for "terrible look"?

Alternatives to "terrible look" include "awful appearance", "dreadful sight", or "ghastly visage". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of negativity you want to convey.

Is "terrible look" a formal or informal expression?

"Terrible look" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both informal and formal contexts, though stronger alternatives exist for more emphatic descriptions.

What does it mean when someone gives you a "terrible look"?

A "terrible look" usually indicates disapproval, shock, or strong negative emotion. The specific meaning depends on the context, but it generally suggests that the person is highly displeased or disturbed.