a sinking feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

"a sinking feeling" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use "a sinking feeling" to describe a sudden and unpleasant sensation of disappointment, dread, or realization. It is often associated with a feeling of heaviness or emptiness in the stomach. Example: As soon as I saw the red flashing lights in my rearview mirror, I had a sinking feeling that I was about to get a speeding ticket.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I developed a sinking feeling.

The Guardian - Books

Alas, a sinking feeling is provoked by Katrina.

Independent

There was a sinking feeling in my stomach.

The Guardian

The Mets had a sinking feeling: him again.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Chachas said he had a sinking feeling.

The New York Times

Then the rolls came, and with them, a sinking feeling.

The New York Times

We all began to get a sinking feeling.

The New York Times - Magazine

Suddenly we're all feeling a sinking feeling as we try to understand the President's humility calculus.

University of California, Berkeley

One day, with a sinking feeling, I discovered it had been scooped up by someone else.

The New York Times

Just to pose them is to invite a sinking feeling of déjà vu.

The Economist

But he also had a sinking feeling that his life was on hold.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional intensity you want to convey. If you want to portray a more intense emotion, you can opt for "a sense of dread" or "a feeling of foreboding".

Common error

Avoid using "a sinking feeling" in situations that are already overtly dramatic or melodramatic. Subtle use can be more effective; overuse can diminish the phrase's impact and make your writing seem cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sinking feeling" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a verb. Ludwig's examples show it expressing a sudden awareness or premonition of something negative, often related to disappointment, fear, or concern. The phrase describes an emotional or psychological state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sinking feeling" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to express a sudden, negative emotional realization or premonition. Ludwig's analysis, along with the provided examples, indicates that it's versatile and appropriate for various contexts, from news reports to personal narratives, maintaining a generally neutral tone. While it is a very common phrase, it is recommended to be used with subtlety so it does not seem cliché. As Ludwig AI correctly stated, the phrase describes an emotional or psychological state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sense of dread

Focuses more on the fear or apprehension aspect.

a mounting dread

Focuses on the escalating fear.

a growing unease

Suggests the feeling is gradually intensifying.

a feeling of foreboding

Implies a stronger sense of impending doom.

a creeping apprehension

Conveys a subtle but steadily increasing worry.

a pang of anxiety

Highlights the anxious nature of the feeling.

a wave of despair

Emphasizes hopelessness and loss of spirit.

a plummeting heart

Uses physical sensation to express fear.

a hollow feeling

Implies emptiness and emotional void.

a heavy heart

Implies sadness or sorrow.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a sinking feeling" in a sentence?

Use "a sinking feeling" to describe a sudden, intuitive understanding that something negative is about to happen or has already occurred. For example, "I had a sinking feeling when I saw the email from HR".

What's the difference between "a sinking feeling" and "a sense of dread"?

"A sinking feeling" often refers to a specific moment of realization or intuition, while ""a sense of dread"" is a more prolonged, pervasive feeling of fear and apprehension about something in the future.

Is "a sinking feeling" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "a sinking feeling" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its impact relies on the context, not the formality of the writing style.

What are some alternative phrases to "a sinking feeling" that I can use for variety?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a pang of anxiety", "a wave of despair", or "a growing unease" to convey similar emotions.