a sigh of relief
When the exam ended, she let out a sigh of relief.
She felt comforted and relaxed after finishing the stressful exam.
a feeling of reassurance and relaxation following the removal of anxiety or stress
After hearing the good news, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He felt reassured and relaxed upon receiving the positive update.
The team let out a collective sigh of relief when the project was finally approved.
The team felt a shared sense of comfort and relief after the project's approval.
Often used to describe a physical sigh accompanied by emotional release, but can also refer to the emotional state alone.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Use in context
Use 'a sigh of relief' to describe a specific moment when someone feels relieved after a stressful event. It works well in narratives or personal stories to show emotional release.
Gold Rule
Avoid literal interpretation
Do not confuse this phrase with the physical act of sighing. It always refers to the emotional state of relief after stress or worry.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'sigh' (from Old English 'sīgan', meaning 'to subside or sink') and 'relief' (from Old French 'relever', meaning 'to raise or lift'). The idiomatic use emerged in the 18th century to describe the physical act of exhaling in relaxation after stress, later extending to the emotional state itself.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in both spoken and written English to describe a moment of emotional release after a period of worry or tension. The phrase often implies a sudden or noticeable change from stress to comfort.