a prick of conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prick of conscience" is not commonly used in written English and may not be widely recognized.
It can be used to describe a moment of guilt or moral discomfort that prompts someone to reconsider their actions. Example: "After realizing the impact of his decision, he felt a prick of conscience that made him question his choices."

News & Media

Health

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I wonder whether the person who poisoned her ever felt a prick of conscience.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Semantics Even when everybody agrees that terminal sedation is a humane response to unyielding suffering, many doctors seem to feel a prick of conscience.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"This is a prick of a game," he said afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

"I said 'if we play properly, we'll score a few today' and in the second half we did that, it was just a little prick of their conscience.

BBC

Instead of seeing such obstacles as prohibitive, I view them as pricks of conscience for an industry that is constantly evaluating its social contribution and corporate practices.

The Guardian

I, too, sympathize with Jesse, appreciate his pricks of conscience, feel stricken when he suffers, root for his redemption, and feel very differently about him generally than I do about his mentor and partner in crime.

The New York Times

A lawyer, a scold, a little prick of a person.

The New Yorker

A drama of conscience.

The Guardian

A dialogue of conscience.

The Guardian - Books

A vote of conscience?

The Guardian - Opinion

A man of conscience".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a prick of conscience" when you want to subtly convey a feeling of minor guilt or remorse that prompts reflection, without necessarily implying deep regret. Be aware it might sound slightly informal.

Common error

Avoid using "a prick of conscience" repeatedly in your writing, as the metaphor can lose its impact and sound cliché. Vary your language to describe feelings of guilt or remorse using synonyms like "a pang of guilt" or "a twinge of remorse".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prick of conscience" functions as a noun phrase, describing a sensation or feeling of guilt. It uses a metaphor (prick) to convey the idea of something causing discomfort or unease in one's conscience. Ludwig indicates that while the expression is valid, it is not commonly used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a prick of conscience" describes a slight feeling of guilt or moral unease. While grammatically sound, Ludwig indicates that it is relatively uncommon. Its neutral to slightly informal tone makes it suitable for news media or general conversation, but less appropriate for formal academic or scientific writing. Related phrases like "a pang of guilt" or "a twinge of remorse" may be more conventional alternatives. When using this phrase, be mindful of the subtle nuance of minor guilt it conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a guilty conscience

A more direct and common way of expressing the feeling of guilt, without the metaphorical "prick".

a pang of guilt

Replaces "prick" with "pang", suggesting a sharper, more sudden feeling of guilt.

a twinge of remorse

Substitutes "prick of conscience" with "twinge of remorse", indicating a slight but persistent feeling of regret.

a nagging feeling of guilt

Emphasizes the persistent and bothersome nature of the guilt, replacing the sharp sensation with a more constant unease.

a creeping sense of guilt

Suggests that the feeling of guilt gradually increases over time, making the person more and more uncomfortable.

a sense of moral unease

Focuses on the discomfort arising from a moral dilemma or wrongdoing, rather than a specific feeling of guilt.

a fleeting moment of guilt

Highlights the brief and temporary nature of the guilty feeling.

a moment of regret

Highlights a specific instant of feeling sorry for something done or not done.

a wave of shame

Implies a more overwhelming and intense feeling of humiliation and distress.

moral qualms

Refers to feelings of doubt or hesitation about the morality of an action or decision.

FAQs

What does "a prick of conscience" mean?

The phrase "a prick of conscience" refers to a slight feeling of guilt or moral unease that makes someone reconsider their actions or decisions. It suggests a minor but noticeable feeling that something might be wrong.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a prick of conscience"?

It is appropriate to use "a prick of conscience" when describing a situation where someone experiences a mild sense of guilt or moral discomfort, prompting them to reflect on their behavior. It's suitable for conveying subtle remorse or ethical considerations.

What are some alternatives to "a prick of conscience"?

Alternatives to "a prick of conscience" include "a pang of guilt", "a twinge of remorse", or "a sense of moral unease". These phrases offer similar nuances of guilt or regret, depending on the context.

Is "a prick of conscience" a common expression in English?

While grammatically correct, "a prick of conscience" is not a very common expression. Other phrases like "guilty conscience" or "pang of guilt" are more frequently used to describe feelings of remorse or moral discomfort.