a sick feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sick feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sense of nausea, anxiety, or discomfort in a figurative or literal sense. Example: "When I heard the news, I was overcome by a sick feeling in my stomach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do you feel a sick feeling in your stomach every time you look at someone you find attractive, other than your partner?

Independent

"It was a sick feeling.

The New York Times - Sports

There's a sick feeling in your stomach.

Independent

I had a sick feeling when I left".

The New Yorker

By now I had a sick feeling in my stomach.

The New York Times

I immediately had a sick feeling in my stomach.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's a sick feeling all the way around.

The New York Times

I had a sick feeling in my stomach all day.

The Guardian - Opinion

These run-ins used to leave me with a sick feeling in my stomach.

The New York Times

For me, reading about Handan prompted a sick feeling of déjà vu.

The New York Times

In the clubhouse, McLaughlin got a sick feeling in his stomach.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sick feeling" to effectively describe a range of negative emotions, from mild unease to intense dread, ensuring the context clarifies the specific nuance.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "a sick feeling" as it can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions with more specific and evocative language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sick feeling" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show its use to describe a sudden onset of physical discomfort or emotional distress. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Science

0.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sick feeling" is a common noun phrase used to describe a range of negative physical and emotional sensations, from mild unease to intense dread. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While generally neutral in register, it's best to use more precise language in formal contexts. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it's particularly prevalent in news and media, indicating its role in conveying immediate reactions to events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a queasy feeling

Replaces "sick" with "queasy", suggesting a milder form of nausea or unease.

a nauseous feeling

Substitutes "sick" with "nauseous", directly indicating a feeling of needing to vomit.

a sinking feeling

Uses "sinking" to describe a feeling of dread or despair, focusing on emotional heaviness.

an uneasy feeling

Replaces "sick" with "uneasy", conveying a general sense of discomfort or anxiety.

a pit in my stomach

Emphasizes the physical manifestation of anxiety in the stomach area.

a churning feeling

Focuses on the physical sensation of unrest in the stomach, suggesting nervousness or anxiety.

a gut-wrenching feeling

Highlights the intensity of the feeling, suggesting extreme emotional distress or disappointment.

a feeling of dread

Shifts the focus to the anticipation of something terrible happening.

a sense of foreboding

Emphasizes a premonition or warning of impending negative events.

a pang of anxiety

Highlights a sudden, sharp feeling of worry or nervousness.

FAQs

What does "a sick feeling" generally mean?

Generally, "a sick feeling" describes an unpleasant sensation that can range from physical nausea to a strong sense of unease, anxiety, or dread.

What are some alternatives to "a sick feeling"?

You can use alternatives like "a queasy feeling", "a sinking feeling", or "an uneasy feeling" depending on the context.

How can I use "a sick feeling" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "I had "a sick feeling" when I realized I had forgotten my passport."

Is "a sick feeling" appropriate for formal writing?

While "a sick feeling" is widely understood, consider using more precise language in formal writing to convey the specific emotion or sensation you intend. Terms like "anxiety", "apprehension", or "nausea" might be more suitable.