twisted lips

USAGE SUMMARY

"twisted lips" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a facial expression that conveys disdain, anger, or a similar emotion. An example could be: "She spoke with twisted lips, revealing her contempt for the situation." Alternative expressions include "contorted lips" and "crooked lips."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She imagined, a little conceitedly, these references to the harsh realities of poverty would establish her bona fides as a woman of the world, someone to be trusted, but the Poor Thing still said nothing, only lifted her mug to her twisted lips and with a succession of noisy gulps, the rusted drainpipe... of her throat …pulsing, drained it.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Or how about The Man with the Twisted Lip, set in London's slums, concerning the mysterious murder and absent body of Neville St Clair – Peaky Blinders' Cillian Murphy has just the right about of pinched menace to suit that role.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In "The Man With the Twisted Lip," Holmes and Watson confront a challenging missing-person case: a gentleman vanished from a locked room.

Huffington Post

The opening sequence, in which John travels to a drug den to retrieve the son of a family friend and finds Sherlock as well, is derived from the opening of "The Man with the Twisted Lip".

Wikipedia

A few slashes of his pen revealed the twisted green lips and furrowed brow of Swamp Thing, a monster he created with writer Len Wein.

Los Angeles Times

A second man appeared, pushing a wheelbarrow that held a hunched child with purplish lips and twisted feet, problems associated with severe congenital heart disease.

The New York Times

We don't either, because that only happened in an alternate universe concocted by the twisted geniuses behind Bad Lip Reading, who released their NFL 2015 edition Thursday.

Huffington Post

The Ethiopian-Irish actor has eyes as large as pools, a smile that puckers her lips into a twisted rosebud and the cheekbones of a silent film star.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mouth twisted.

Huffington Post

I want to teach you how to lie, so your lips become beautiful and twisted like those of an antique mask".

The Guardian

She talks about making twisted music clips, almost working with Wayne Coyne from The Flaming Lips and her plan to eat a cheeseburger in every US city.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "twisted lips" to vividly portray a character's negative emotions, such as disdain, bitterness, or disapproval. This phrase effectively communicates internal feelings through a specific physical expression.

Common error

Avoid using "twisted lips" in descriptions where the emotional context is neutral or positive. The phrase inherently carries negative connotations and can create a jarring effect if used inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "twisted lips" functions primarily as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a person's emotional state. It adds a vivid, albeit negative, characteristic to the description. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "twisted lips" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a facial expression indicative of negative emotions. Though not very common, according to Ludwig, its value lies in its vividness and ability to convey subtle contempt or bitterness. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, it is important to consider the overall tone of the writing and avoid using it in neutral or positive contexts, as it carries inherent negative connotations. Exploring alternatives such as "contorted lips" or "sardonic grin" can provide nuanced variations for expressing similar emotions. In conclusion, while "twisted lips" can be a potent tool, careful consideration of its implications ensures its effective and appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Contorted lips

This phrase emphasizes the distorted shape of the lips, highlighting the physical manifestation of a negative emotion.

Crooked smile

While technically a smile, the "crooked" descriptor suggests insincerity or bitterness, sharing the negativity implied by "twisted lips".

Sardonic grin

This alternative emphasizes the mocking or cynical nature of the expression, adding a layer of intellectual disdain.

Disdainful expression

Shifts from a specific facial feature to a general expression, capturing the overall sentiment conveyed by "twisted lips".

Wry smile

This option denotes a blend of bitterness and amusement, showing a more nuanced version of the emotion conveyed by "twisted lips".

Bitter countenance

Replaces the specific feature with the whole face, emphasizing the general appearance of bitterness.

Skeptical mouth

Highlights the doubt or disbelief reflected in the mouth's expression, a subtler variation.

Ironic smirk

This denotes a sly, often sarcastic expression, implying detachment or superiority.

Disapproving look

This broadens the expression to a general sense of disapproval, lacking the specific tension of "twisted lips".

Grimace of disgust

This implies a stronger physical reaction to something unpleasant, more intense than a simple "twisted lips".

FAQs

How can I use "twisted lips" in a sentence?

"Twisted lips" can be used to describe a facial expression indicating disdain, bitterness, or disapproval. For example: "She responded to the insult with "twisted lips" and a cold stare."

What does the expression "twisted lips" imply?

The expression "twisted lips" usually suggests a negative emotion such as contempt, bitterness, or forced amusement. It's a subtle way to show inner feelings without explicitly stating them.

What are some alternative expressions for "twisted lips"?

You can use alternatives like "contorted lips", "crooked smile", or "sardonic grin" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "twisted lips" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "twisted lips" is not a very common expression. Other similar expressions like "pursed lips" might be more frequently used to describe similar emotions.