Sigh of Relief – Meaning and Examples
Imagine waiting anxiously for important news, like the results of a big exam or a doctor’s test. When you finally hear that everything is fine and the worry instantly vanishes, you let out a long, audible breath. That is a sigh of relief. This common phrase is used to describe the feeling of sudden relaxation after a difficult situation or period of stress.
What Does “Sigh of Relief” Mean?
A “sigh of relief” is a spontaneous, audible exhalation that expresses the sudden cessation of anxiety, tension, or worry. It describes both the sound and the strong, positive emotion that accompanies the removal of a burden. You are literally releasing the stress you were holding in your body.
When to Use It
You can use sigh of relief in any situation where a negative outcome was feared but avoided.
- Safety: After realizing her daughter was only late, the mother breathed a sigh of relief.
- Work/Deadlines: Finishing the project just before the deadline allowed the whole team to let out a sigh of relief.
- Finance: When the bank approved the loan, we gave a collective sigh of relief.
The phrase is typically used with verbs like breathe, heave, give, or let out.
Example Sentences
- When the airplane landed safely after the turbulence, everyone breathed a visible sigh of relief.
- The jury’s not-guilty verdict caused the defendant’s family to give a huge sigh of relief.
- The company let out a sigh of relief after successfully fixing the major software bug.
- She gave a sigh of relief when the waiter finally brought her the correct order.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Did you pass the difficult certification test?”
Jamie: “Yes! When the score appeared, I practically heaved a sigh of relief.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not confuse “sigh of relief” with a simple sigh of sadness or tiredness. It must be tied to a moment of anxiety ending.
❌ Don’t: “After working all day, I gave a sigh of relief.” (This is incorrect. Use “sigh of exhaustion” or “sigh of weariness.”)
✅ Do: “When the doctor said the tests were negative, the patient breathed a sigh of relief.” (This means the patient was instantly free from medical worry.)
Practice Tip
Think of a time when you thought you had lost something important, but then found it. Write one sentence about how you reacted with a sigh of relief.
Final Note
Using sigh of relief clearly communicates a happy end to a worrisome time. Practice using this phrase to share your moments of joy and relaxation!
