feel a thing

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone feeling a physical or emotional sensation. For example: "She could barely feel a thing as the anesthesia took effect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Trevelyan didn't feel a thing.

Independent

I didn't feel a thing.

The New Yorker

David didn't feel a thing.

The New Yorker

Switzerland didn't feel a thing.

The Guardian - Sport

Inter didn't feel a thing.

The Guardian - Sport

"They didn't feel a thing".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Even though he had explained each step along the way, I hadn't felt a thing.

The New Yorker

Initially this force-feeding was uncomfortable, but now she no longer feels a thing.

Independent

But a new project hopes to make the isolation Beere's family and I felt a thing of the past.

The Guardian

I've not really felt a thing. 1 – It funds terrorism.

Vice

"You always feel a few things at the beginning.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feel a thing" to describe emotional numbness, consider the context to ensure it doesn't come across as dismissive or insensitive. For example, clarify the reasons behind the lack of emotion to provide a more nuanced understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "feel a thing" in situations where a more specific emotion or sensation would be more impactful. Overusing it can dilute the emotional weight of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel a thing" primarily functions as a predicate expressing a lack of sensation or emotional response. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing examples where it describes physical numbness or emotional detachment. As highlighted in Ludwig's examples, the phrase shows up in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel a thing" is used to describe a lack of physical or emotional sensation. Ludwig identifies it as grammatically correct and provides several examples from reliable news sources, like The New Yorker and The New York Times, indicating a neutral register. While "feel a thing" isn't incredibly common, it's understood and used to convey a sense of numbness or detachment. Consider using alternatives like "feel nothing" for conciseness or "experience no sensation" for a more formal tone. Remember to ensure the phrase aligns with the overall tone of your writing, and avoid overuse in overly dramatic situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel nothing

This alternative is more concise, directly stating the absence of sensation.

sense nothing

Similar to 'feel nothing', but can also apply to senses other than touch or emotion.

detect no feeling

This suggests a deliberate attempt to identify any sensation, with none being found.

be numb

This describes a state of being unable to feel, either physically or emotionally.

experience no sensation

This is a more formal way of expressing the lack of physical feeling.

not register anything

This suggests that sensory input is not being processed or acknowledged.

perceive no emotion

This alternative focuses specifically on the absence of emotional response.

be unaffected

Similar to 'remain untouched', indicating a lack of impact or influence.

have no reaction

This focuses on the lack of response to a stimulus, implying a lack of feeling.

remain untouched

This implies a lack of emotional impact or influence.

FAQs

How can I use "feel a thing" in a sentence?

You can use "feel a thing" to describe a lack of physical sensation, as in "After the dental procedure, I couldn't "feel a thing" in my mouth." It can also describe a lack of emotional response, like "Despite the tragic news, he didn't "feel a thing"."

What does it mean to not "feel a thing"?

To not "feel a thing" means to experience a complete absence of sensation, whether physical or emotional. It implies a state of numbness or detachment from what's happening.

What can I say instead of "feel a thing"?

You can use alternatives like "feel nothing", "experience no sensation", or "perceive no emotion" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "didn't feel a thing" or "felt nothing"?

Both "didn't "feel a thing"" and "felt nothing" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired emphasis in the sentence.