Collocations for "expression"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "expression" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
expression
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- a facial expression
- [there was, he had] a [pained, shocked, funny, concerned] expression on his face
- [he, his face] wore a [pained] expression
- [a sad, an unreadable] expression in his eyes
- have never seen that expression (on you) before
- the expression on her face was [priceless, hilarious]
- his expression [says, tells you] everything
- her expression spoke louder than words
- his expression [gave away, revealed] little
- [talks, speaks] with a lot of expression
- [artistic, creative, musical] expression
- [an old-fashioned, a dated, a formal, a common] expression
- it's (just) an expression
- I've never heard that expression before
- I'm not familiar with that expression
- an expression to [say, explain]
- an expression of (her) [anger, happiness]
- expression of the human [body, form]
- their [joy, happiness] was beyond expression
- [gene, protein] expression
- the expression of genes
- the expression of (breast) milk
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'expression' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
mean
- steel
- study
- anger
- kick
- surprise
- strain
- performance
- adult
- appropriate
- bright
- calm
- eager
- German
- guilty
- honest
- worried
- ugly
- tired
- shy
- set
- local
- hurt
- confusion
- definition
- disappointment
- dismay
- emotion
- enjoyment
- excitement
- misuse
- rage
- rendering
- resignation
- sadness
- scrutiny
- anguish
- anticipation
- anxiety
- arabic
- grasp
- bracket
- loving
- meaningful
- meaningless
- murky
- oral
- outdated
- outward
- overt
