waver in the face of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waver in the face of" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to hesitate or falter when faced with a difficult or challenging situation. Example: Despite her initial confidence, Jenny began to waver in the face of the daunting task ahead of her.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Do not let your spirit waver in the face of those who have abandoned the ship of peace.

The New York Times

But that is already in question, with the transitional government appearing to waver in the face of domestic pressure to try the men in Libya.

The New York Times

Sinn Fein, officially committed to peace, has seen its crucial American support waver in the face of continuing I.R.A. reluctance to disarm.

The New York Times

But today we meet as normal, as generations have done before us and as future generations will continue to do, to deliver a simple message: we are not afraid and our resolve will never waver in the face of terrorism.

The Guardian

The badger-culling trials that are due to start this summer have been threatened with failure just days after they were announced, as landowners waver in the face of heavy costs and threats from animal rights activists.

The Times

Most of us show some bravery when facing immediate danger but waver in the face of ethical decisions when we have something to lose by doing the right thing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The president's party wavered in the face of organized and spontaneous protests, especially from the elderly.

The New York Times

But the will of the townspeople to save their land and homes soon wavers in the face of external pressure and internal suspicion.

Stanford University

President Trump's aversion to regulation and his go-it-alone nationalism are wavering in the face of technology questions, Steve Lohr of the NYT reports.

The New York Times

Surrounding him are his followers, some fanatically loyal, others wavering in the face of defeat, who must all play out the endgame of their ghastly world-historical project.

The New York Times

At the same time, Pakistan's army appeared to have bungled a critical operation there or to have wavered in the face of determined resistance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waver in the face of" to describe a temporary loss of conviction or resolve, particularly when external pressures or challenges are present. It's best suited for situations where someone's initial stance or belief is tested.

Common error

Avoid using "waver in the face of" to describe a complete and permanent abandonment of a belief or course of action. Wavering implies a temporary hesitation, not a total reversal. For complete abandonment, consider phrases like "abandoned", "reneged" or "recanted".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waver in the face of" functions as a verb phrase that describes a situation where someone's resolve or conviction weakens when confronted with a challenging or difficult situation. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waver in the face of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a situation where someone's resolve or conviction weakens when confronted with a challenge, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is found most commonly in News & Media and Academia. While the phrase is considered uncommon, it adds a nuanced expression of hesitation under pressure. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a temporary lapse in conviction rather than a complete abandonment, and consider alternative expressions like "lose resolve when confronted with" to convey slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose resolve when confronted with

Focuses on the loss of determination when meeting a challenge, shifting the emphasis from hesitation to the diminishing of will.

show hesitation when facing

Highlights the act of hesitating, making it more about the observable behavior rather than the internal struggle.

falter when confronted by

Emphasizes a stumble or a break in momentum due to opposition, suggesting a temporary loss of stability.

become doubtful when encountering

Shifts the focus to the rise of doubt, suggesting that the challenge causes a questioning of one's beliefs or abilities.

flinch in the presence of

Suggests a physical or emotional reaction of recoiling, implying a more immediate and instinctive response to pressure.

display uncertainty when up against

Focuses on the visible display of uncertainty, emphasizing the lack of confidence in the face of an obstacle.

lose courage when meeting

Centers on the loss of bravery, suggesting a decrease in one's willingness to confront a difficult situation.

shrink from when challenged by

Implies a withdrawal or avoidance of the challenge, suggesting a desire to escape the situation.

back down in the presence of

Highlights a retreat or surrender, indicating a change in stance or position due to pressure.

show a lack of conviction when considering

Emphasizes that the person doesn't show to be strong on his position.

FAQs

How can I use "waver in the face of" in a sentence?

Use "waver in the face of" to indicate a temporary loss of resolve or hesitation when confronted with difficulty. For example, "The politician began to waver in the face of mounting criticism".

What does it mean to "lose resolve when confronted with" something?

Losing resolve implies a weakening of determination or a decrease in one's commitment when facing a challenge. It's similar to /s/waver+in+the+face+of, but it emphasizes the diminishing of will.

Is it better to say "waver" or "falter" in the face of something?

"Waver" and "falter" are similar, but "falter" suggests a more immediate and noticeable loss of stability or momentum. "Waver" implies a more gradual and internal hesitation.

When should I use "show hesitation when facing" instead of "waver in the face of"?

Use "show hesitation when facing" when you want to emphasize the outward display of uncertainty rather than the internal struggle of wavering. "Waver in the face of" implies a more internal conflict.