little time to sink

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little time to sink" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express that there is not much time for something to be fully understood or absorbed. Example: "With the deadline approaching, there was little time to sink into the complexities of the project."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It took a little time to sink in.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's going take a little time to sink in but I'm absolutely delighted with everyone connected with the football club.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That is going to take a little bit of time to sink in".

The Guardian

"This is a very special race to win, obviously not as big as Seb winning the world championship but winning a race like this does take a little bit of time to sink in.

The Guardian - Sport

They take time to sink in.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's time to sink or swim".

The New York Times - Sports

It won't take time to sink in".

The Guardian - Sport

"It took a long time to sink in.

The Guardian - Books

Reality can take a long time to sink in.

The New York Times

Some things take time to sink in.

BBC

Give it time to sink in.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little time to sink", ensure the context clearly indicates what needs to be understood or realized within a limited timeframe. This will help avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "little time to sink" when the agent of understanding is unclear. Always ensure it's evident who needs the time to process the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little time to sink" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically indicating a limited period for comprehension or realization. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts where events or information require quick processing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "little time to sink" is an idiomatic phrase used to convey that there is a limited amount of time for something to be fully understood or realized. Ludwig identifies it as grammatically acceptable, though not particularly common. As Ludwig AI also points out, this phrase may cause confusion. It appears mostly in news and media, with neutral informality. When writing, ensure context clarifies what needs processing. Alternatives like "limited time to absorb" or "short time to comprehend" may provide greater clarity in formal settings. While "little time to sink" has limited presence it conveys an acceptable degree of understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited time to process

Focuses on the mental action of processing information given time constraints.

short time to understand

Emphasizes understanding within a brief period.

not enough time to grasp

Highlights the lack of sufficient time to fully grasp a concept.

insufficient time for comprehension

Formally states the inadequacy of time for comprehension.

brief window to internalize

Uses the metaphor of a "brief window" to represent a limited opportunity for internalization.

scant time to absorb

Stresses the scarcity of time available for absorbing information.

quick moment to realize

Focuses on a fleeting moment of realization.

fleeting opportunity to digest

Highlights the transient nature of the opportunity to digest information.

restricted time to assimilate

Emphasizes the restriction on the time available for assimilation.

compressed timeframe to apprehend

Highlights the compressed nature of the timeframe for apprehending something.

FAQs

How can I use "little time to sink" in a sentence?

You can use "little time to sink" when you want to emphasize that there's not much time for something to be fully understood or absorbed, as in, "After the announcement, there was "little time to absorb" the news before we had to act".

What's a more common way to say "little time to sink"?

Alternatives include phrases like "limited time to absorb", "short time to comprehend", or "not enough time to grasp" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically incorrect to say "little time to sink"?

While not strictly incorrect, "little time to sink" is an idiomatic expression that might sound less formal. More formal alternatives might improve clarity in certain contexts.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "little time to sink"?

It's suitable when describing situations where understanding or realization must happen quickly, such as in fast-paced environments or under pressure, but keep in mind that it has limited presence and might be confusing for some.