heart sank

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heart sank" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express sadness, disappointment, or despair. For example, "When I realized how much work I had to do for the presentation, my heart sank."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Instantly, Cotchery's heart sank.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, my heart sank.

The New Yorker

Mark's heart sank.

The New Yorker

His heart sank.

The New York Times - Arts

My heart sank.

The New York Times - Health

"My heart sank,"she said.

The New York Times

My heart sank: the S.T.M.!

The New Yorker

Chief Downey's heart sank.

The New York Times

Initially, his heart sank.

The New York Times - Sports

Ong's heart sank.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then my heart sank.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heart sank" to effectively convey a sudden feeling of disappointment, sadness, or despair, particularly when the realization of something negative hits you unexpectedly.

Common error

Avoid using "heart sank" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact. Instead, vary your descriptions of disappointment with phrases like "felt a pang of disappointment" or "my spirits fell" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heart sank" functions as an idiomatic expression to describe a sudden feeling of disappointment, despair, or sadness. As illustrated by Ludwig, it's used to depict a moment when someone's hopes or spirits are suddenly lowered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "heart sank" is a common and accepted way to describe a sudden feeling of disappointment or sadness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to express personal emotional states. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid overuse. Alternatives like "felt a pang of disappointment" or "my spirits fell" can offer varied expression. Therefore, while effective, understanding its context and varying your language ensures more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my spirits fell

A more direct synonym, replacing "heart sank" with a focus on overall mood.

felt a deep disappointment

Directly states the emotion of disappointment.

felt a sense of despair

Highlights the feeling of hopelessness.

felt a pang of disappointment

Replaces "heart sank" with a more descriptive phrase emphasizing a brief feeling of disappointment.

felt utterly deflated

Conveys a feeling of being emptied or diminished in spirit.

experienced a wave of sadness

Focuses on the emotional impact of sadness rather than physical sensation.

was crestfallen

Implies dejection, similar to the sadness associated with "heart sank".

my hopes were dashed

Replaces the physical metaphor of sinking with the image of hopes being destroyed.

lost all hope

Suggests a complete loss of optimism, similar to the despair implied by "heart sank".

was filled with dread

Emphasizes a feeling of intense fear or apprehension replacing a sense of disappointment.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says their "heart sank"?

When someone says their "heart sank", it means they experienced a sudden feeling of disappointment, sadness, or despair, often upon realizing something negative or unfavorable.

How can I use "heart sank" in a sentence?

You can use "heart sank" to describe a moment of sudden disappointment. For example, "My "heart sank" when I realized I had missed the deadline".

What can I say instead of "heart sank"?

You can use alternatives like "felt a pang of disappointment", "my spirits fell", or "was crestfallen" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "heart sank" in formal writing?

While "heart sank" is generally acceptable, consider the tone of your writing. In very formal contexts, a more direct and less figurative phrase like "I was deeply disappointed" might be more appropriate.