heart sink

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heart sink" is a valid and commonly used expression in written English.
It is usually used to describe a feeling of disappointment, sadness, or discouragement. Example: As I read the rejection letter, my heart sank. I had been hoping for that job for months. In this example, "heart sank" is used to convey the strong feeling of disappointment and sadness the person felt upon receiving the rejection letter. It is a powerful and evocative way to describe the emotional impact of the situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It made my heart sink".

The New Yorker

I could see his heart sink.

The New York Times

"Boy, did my heart sink," she recalled.

The New York Times

His tone made my heart sink.

The New York Times - Magazine

"That made my heart sink," he said.

The New York Times

This show made my heart sink.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Thirty years ago it was heart-sink stuff".

The Guardian

We call them "heart-sink patients", because you see them and think: "Oh God, not them again".

The Guardian

No heart-sink instructions to "serve immediately", rather "serve in a few hours, when you're ready, in your own time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The heart-sink patients … are patients – the WorkCover ones – that make us all shudder.

BMC Family Practice

Many GPs said that heart-sink patients often wanted more time off despite being medically capable to RTW.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heart sink" to vividly describe a moment of sudden disappointment or discouragement. This idiom is particularly effective when you want to convey a strong emotional reaction to a piece of news or an event.

Common error

While effective, avoid using "heart sink" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact. Opt for more varied expressions of disappointment or sadness to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heart sink" functions as an idiomatic expression to describe a sudden feeling of disappointment, sadness, or discouragement. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in expressing negative emotional reactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

25%

Opinion

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "heart sink" is a commonly used idiom to describe a sudden feeling of disappointment, sadness, or discouragement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and prevalent in various contexts, especially in news and media, lifestyle writing, and opinion pieces. While versatile, it's best used to express a personal emotional response vividly, avoiding overuse to maintain its impact. Related phrases like "feel disheartened" or "lose hope" can provide alternatives, and being aware of common mistakes, such as overuse, will enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose heart

Directly relates to losing courage or enthusiasm, closely mirroring the original phrase.

feel deflated

Implies a sudden loss of confidence or energy, similar to a sinking feeling.

feel disheartened

Focuses on the feeling of losing enthusiasm or hope, a common consequence of disappointment.

my spirits fell

Expresses the dejection and the feeling of disappointment, similar to a "heart sink".

be discouraged

Highlights the feeling of being less confident or enthusiastic about something.

lose hope

Emphasizes the complete disappearance of optimism or expectation.

become despondent

Indicates a state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage.

despair

Conveys a sense of utter hopelessness and loss of courage.

becrestfallen

Suggests extreme disappointment and sadness.

get depressed

Signals a deeper state of unhappiness and low mood.

FAQs

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

You can use "heart sink" to describe a feeling of sudden disappointment or discouragement. For example: "When I heard the news, my heart sank".

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

It means they are experiencing a feeling of disappointment, sadness, or discouragement, often in response to bad news or an unfavorable situation.

What can I say instead of "heart sink"?

You can use alternatives like "feel disheartened", "lose hope", or "be discouraged" to express a similar feeling.

Is it grammatically correct to say "heart sink"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct as an idiomatic expression. It's commonly used in both spoken and written English to describe a specific emotional response.