that gulp

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that gulp" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a physical reaction of swallowing or a metaphorical reaction to something surprising or alarming. Example: "As she opened the letter, she felt that gulp in her throat, realizing the news was not what she expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Those of us who have experienced any sort of mass power outage know that gulp of "uh-oh".

The Guardian

Then they divided the cetaceans according to their dietary preferences: filter feeders, such as the blue whales, that gulp down huge quantities of krill; cephalopod specialists, such as sperm whales, that dive to great depths to feed on squid; and generalist fish eaters, such as bottlenose dolphins.

Science Magazine

Fourthly, the club scene also features a fucking awful sex scene that's only funny if you're the kind of doughnut who thinks the idea that, gulp, parents having... sex is inherently hilarious.

Vice

There is a lot of heated discussion about how Grunt and Gulp compare to each other, and while I won't go into detail about those assumptions (to each his own), I do think that Gulp provides a fairly better - intuitive - syntax for those who're developing in Node.js.js

Huffington Post

My experiences of hitchhiking have proved to me – more than I could have ever believed before taking that gulp and putting out my thumb (I've seen The Hitcher too!) – that the dangers of hitching are massively exaggerated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The 50 free is short enough that gulping oxygen is optional.

The New York Times - Sports

The pickup's original cup holder was deemed too small for a nation that gulps supersize drinks.

The New York Times

The study found that rats that gulped lots of drinks with high-fructose corn syrup gained more weight than those that had the sugar, even when their overall caloric intake was the same.

The New York Times

Suddenly the three Dexedrine that gulped back at the bar kick in hard.

Vice

A massive sinkhole in Florida that gulped down two houses on Friday won't stop growing forcing ten households to evacuate as it closes in on their property like some bloodthirsty villain from a B-movie, International Business Times reports.

Vice

Was that a gulp or just a murmur?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that gulp" to vividly depict a character's reaction to surprising or unsettling news. It adds a touch of realism to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that gulp" repeatedly in dialogue tags. Variety is key; try using other descriptive actions like "hesitated", "stammered", or "looked away" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that gulp" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig's examples show it describing a specific instance or reaction. The examples show it is a way to characterize or emphasize a particular moment or feeling.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science & Research

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that gulp" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, often found in news and media contexts to depict a specific reaction to surprising or alarming events. According to Ludwig, it effectively conveys a sense of anxiety, fear, or surprise through a physical action. Though "that gulp" is not overwhelmingly common, it holds its own and can be replaced by alternatives such as "that swallow" or "that intake of breath" to add variety to your writing. Remember to use it judiciously to enhance, not overshadow, your narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that swallow

Replaces "gulp" with a synonym, focusing on the physical act of swallowing.

that intake of breath

Shifts the focus from swallowing to the act of inhaling sharply, often due to surprise or fear.

that sudden gulp

Adds emphasis to the suddenness of the action.

that nervous gulp

Highlights the emotion associated with the gulp.

that anxious swallow

Similar to "nervous gulp" but using a synonym for gulp.

that hesitant gulp

Suggests a pause or reluctance before the gulp.

that audible gulp

Emphasizes the sound of the gulp, making it noticeable.

that involuntary gulp

Highlights the uncontrollable nature of the gulp.

that reflexive swallow

More formal way to say involuntary gulp.

that dramatic gulp

Emphasizes the theatrical or exaggerated nature of the gulp.

FAQs

How can I use "that gulp" in a sentence?

"That gulp" can be used to describe a physical swallowing action, often expressing nervousness or surprise, as in: "Before stepping onto the stage, he took "that gulp", trying to calm his nerves".

What can I say instead of "that gulp"?

You can use alternatives like "that swallow", "that intake of breath", or "that sudden gulp" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "that gulp"?

Yes, "that gulp" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a specific instance of gulping, often indicating a reaction to something surprising or unsettling.

When is it appropriate to use "that gulp" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "that gulp" when you want to emphasize a character's physical reaction to a specific moment, particularly when they are experiencing anxiety, fear, or surprise.