my spirits sank

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my spirits sank" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of disappointment or sadness in response to a situation. Example: "When I heard the news about the cancellation of the event, my spirits sank."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

My spirits sank.

The New York Times - Food

And yet, by 1890, the author Vernon Lee already had the protagonist of her novella "A Phantom Lover" casually referencing the Arts and Crafts movement as shorthand for bourgeois-bohemian pretension: "My spirits sank lower and lower.

The New Yorker

All at once my spirits sank, my shoulders drooped and I felt the pangs of an achy breaky heart.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

My spirits sink, my heart deflates.

The New Yorker

I felt my spirits sink further.

The Guardian - Travel

When she saw my spirits sink, Sibel caressed my hand.

The New Yorker

By Margaret Fishback The New Yorker, April 14 , 1934P. 56 My spirits sink, my heart deflates View Article By Phil Klay By Troy Patterson By John Cassidy By Amy Davidson Sorkin.

The New Yorker

By Margaret Fishback The New Yorker, April 14 , 1934P. 56 My spirits sink, my heart deflates View Article By Rivka Galchen By Jia Tolentino By David Remnick By Zoë Heller.

The New Yorker

I nurse a half pint of cider for a further half an hour, my spirits sinking with every minute.

Huffington Post

That's when my spirit sank a little.

Huffington Post

That would seem to be a signal that there was a method in Mr. Lonergan's prolixity, so my spirits rose (even as my heart sank and my leg muscles groaned) when I heard St. Catherine's announcement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my spirits sank" to express a sudden feeling of disappointment or discouragement, often in response to specific news or events. It's particularly effective when describing a downturn in mood.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "my spirits sank" can sound overly dramatic in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I felt bummed out" or "I was disappointed" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my spirits sank" functions as an intransitive clause, where "my spirits" is the subject and "sank" is the verb. It expresses a state of being, indicating a decline in emotional well-being. Ludwig AI shows this usage in various contexts, primarily expressing disappointment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my spirits sank" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe a feeling of disappointment or discouragement. Ludwig AI validates this, indicating that it's often found in news and media contexts. While not overly common, it effectively communicates a downturn in emotional state. For more casual settings, consider alternatives like "I felt bummed out" to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my heart sank

Replaces "spirits" with "heart", focusing on emotional impact.

I lost heart

Uses a more idiomatic expression synonymous with losing courage or enthusiasm.

I felt deflated

Uses a metaphor of deflation to describe a loss of energy and spirit.

I felt disheartened

Substitutes the entire phrase with a single adjective indicating a loss of enthusiasm.

I was crestfallen

Employs a more literary term indicating extreme disappointment and dejection.

I became despondent

Uses a more formal adjective to express deep sadness and hopelessness.

I felt a sense of despair

Emphasizes the feeling of hopelessness and loss of optimism.

my hopes diminished

Shifts focus to the reduction of hope as a result of disappointment.

my mood darkened

Focuses on the change in emotional state, indicating a shift towards sadness.

my enthusiasm waned

Highlights the gradual decrease in excitement or interest.

FAQs

What does "my spirits sank" mean?

The phrase "my spirits sank" means that you suddenly felt disappointed, sad, or discouraged. It indicates a downturn in your mood or emotional state.

How can I use "my spirits sank" in a sentence?

You can use "my spirits sank" to describe a feeling of disappointment after hearing bad news or experiencing a setback. For example, "When I learned that the project was canceled, "my spirits sank"."

Is it correct to say "my spirit sank" instead of "my spirits sank"?

While "my spirit sank" can be used, "my spirits sank" is more common and idiomatic. The plural form often suggests a more general feeling of discouragement or sadness, while the singular could refer to a more specific instance of lowered morale.

What are some alternatives to "my spirits sank"?

Alternatives to "my spirits sank" include "my heart sank", I felt disheartened, or I became despondent. The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.