withering eye

USAGE SUMMARY

'withering eye' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe a look or gaze that is disdainful, unimpressed, or scathing. For example, "She gave him a withering eye, clearly unhappy with his explanation".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Naturally, Ms. Adichie has a withering eye for the kind of person who cares only about a book's quota of big words.

The New York Times - Books

In any case, Mrs. Thatcher leaned forward in her armchair, studying me for a moment with a withering eye, before expressing her astonishment.

The New York Times

His caustic lyrics often cast a withering eye on crumbling social conventions and the shady, high rollers of a corrupt, philistine culture.

The New York Times - Arts

Her timing is peerless; she can win a belly laugh just by placing a basso-profundo emphasis on a single word; and she's the reigning stage mistress of the withering eye roll discernible from the back row.

The New York Times

The so-called leisure class has never been more harried.Racing to the topWriting in 1962, Sebastian de Grazia, a political scientist, cast a withering eye across the great American landscape, dismayed by all the relentless industry and consumption.

The Economist

This smart, finely acted film assesses the toxicity of celebrity with a withering eye, but refrains from judging the chilly star (the director Agnès Jaoui, who suggests a Gallic Sarah Michelle Gellar) or her doting acolyte (Karin Viard) too harshly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Back then, IM and Track were protected from withering eyes by the random failures of the whole system; today the complete absence of real time network effects shifts the blame squarely on the the social media crowd and their inability to consolidate value.

TechCrunch

Her face is grimier than we've ever seen it, but her nose also seems beakier, her cheeks more withered, her eyes more bulbous.

The New York Times

Book publishers, like print newspapers, are withering before our eyes.

Huffington Post

The former House Speaker from Georgia's once biggest advantage over other long shot candidates -- an established fundraising network -- is withering before his eyes.

Huffington Post

They are withering away before his eyes.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "withering eye" to describe a look that conveys strong disapproval, scorn, or criticism. It's particularly effective when describing a character's reaction in literature or a person's demeanor in a tense situation.

Common error

Avoid using "withering eye" to describe a simple glance or a mild expression of disagreement. This phrase denotes a powerful, often intimidating, level of disapproval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "withering eye" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., "cast a withering eye") or the subject of a clause. It describes a specific type of look that conveys intense disapproval or scorn, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "withering eye" denotes a look of intense disapproval or scorn, functioning as a noun phrase that serves to express a strong negative judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and identifies its prevalent use in news and media, where it vividly describes characters or situations. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, it's essential to reserve it for situations where the disapproval is truly pronounced. Consider alternatives like "scathing look" or "disapproving gaze" for varying degrees of disapproval. Mastering the use of "withering eye" enhances your ability to convey nuanced emotions in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disapproving gaze

Replaces "withering" with "disapproving" and "eye" with "gaze", maintaining the core meaning of expressing disapproval through a look.

scathing look

Emphasizes the severity of the disapproval, using "scathing" to highlight the critical nature of the look.

contemptuous stare

Highlights the feeling of contempt behind the look, suggesting a stronger sense of disdain.

disdainful glance

Replaces "withering" with "disdainful" and "eye" with "glance", offering a slightly more subtle expression of disapproval.

piercing glare

Focuses on the intensity and sharpness of the look, implying a penetrating and critical assessment.

critical gaze

Highlights the analytical and judgmental nature of the look, suggesting a careful and often negative evaluation.

unimpressed expression

Shifts from the act of looking to the overall facial expression, indicating a lack of admiration or interest.

icy stare

Emphasizes the cold and unfriendly nature of the look, suggesting a lack of warmth or empathy.

hostile glare

Conveys a sense of antagonism and unfriendliness, indicating a more aggressive form of disapproval.

reproachful look

Suggests a look that conveys blame or disapproval, often with a sense of disappointment.

FAQs

How can I use "withering eye" in a sentence?

You can use "withering eye" to describe a look of intense disapproval. For example: "She gave him a "withering eye" when he interrupted her."

What's a similar expression to "withering eye"?

Alternatives include "scathing look", "contemptuous stare", or "disapproving gaze", each conveying a different nuance of disapproval.

Is "withering eye" formal or informal?

"Withering eye" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in descriptive writing than in casual conversation.

Can "withering eye" be used to describe something positive?

No, "withering eye" inherently implies a negative judgment or disapproval. It's always used to describe a critical or scornful look.