sink away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sink away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of gradually disappearing or being absorbed, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "As the sun set, the colors of the sky began to sink away into darkness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I fear that my life is just going to sink away and I'll just be a homeless bum.

The Guardian - Sport

He watched his plane as it seemed to slowly sink away against the backdrop of blue water.

The New York Times

Picture walking about in freezing, absolute darkness in a place that shrinks and expands, a place where staircases suddenly sink away to bottomless depths or compress to flatness.

The New York Times - Books

For the next few days, he would be quakey with relief; he'd felt certain, watching her sink away, that he would never see the Bog Girl again in this life.

The New Yorker

The Intel-branded Ultrabook might quickly sink away from mainstream, but it will have a lasting effect on notebook design.

TechCrunch

Kevin McEnroe loves New York, loves the Knicks, anDorothyis his firsturnedished stoward

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Major Haar radioed to base: "I'm just sinking away.

The New York Times

Just look at Nigeria and South Africa, whose democratically elected leaders are slowly sinking away.

The New York Times

"Everything Brown throws is hard, and his sinker sinks away from left-handers," the scout said.

The New York Times - Sports

The monument doesn't battle repression by attempting to stand for ever, but by sinking away, embodying repression itself.

The Guardian

She sat on a bench on the platform and watched people arriving in great drifts, then sinking away again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sink away" when you want to convey a sense of gradual disappearance or fading, often with a melancholic or resigned tone. It works well in describing abstract concepts like hope, dreams, or memories.

Common error

Avoid using "sink away" in highly technical or scientific writing where more precise and literal terms like "decrease", "decline", or "recede" would be more appropriate. "Sink away" can sound too figurative in contexts requiring precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sink away" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, often used intransitively to describe something gradually disappearing, diminishing, or losing its prominence. Ludwig's examples show this phrase describing the slow disappearance of physical objects, abstract concepts like hope, or even skills.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0.03%

Formal & Business

0.07%

Reference

0.05%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sink away" is a grammatically sound and usable phrasal verb that describes a gradual disappearance or decline. According to Ludwig, it’s most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. While not overly formal, it is not best suited for technical writing, as more precise terms may be preferable. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase evokes a sense of melancholy or reflection, suggesting something gradually being lost. Alternatives include "fade away", "recede", and "dwindle", each with slightly different nuances. To enhance your writing, consider using "sink away" when aiming for evocative language, particularly in narrative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fade away

Focuses on a gradual disappearance or loss of intensity.

recede

Implies a movement backward or a lessening of importance.

vanish

Suggests a sudden and complete disappearance.

dissolve

Indicates a breaking apart or disintegration into something less distinct.

ebb

Refers to a decline or weakening, similar to the receding tide.

slip away

Emphasizes a subtle or unnoticed departure.

dwindle

Highlights a gradual reduction in size or amount.

decline

Points to a decrease in quality, quantity, or importance.

peter out

Suggests a gradual coming to an end after a period of activity.

disappear

A more general term for ceasing to be visible or present.

FAQs

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

You can use "sink away" to describe a gradual disappearance or decline, as in "As the initial excitement wore off, his enthusiasm began to "fade away"/sink away" or "The island seemed to "sink away into the mist" as we sailed further out to sea".

What are some alternatives to "sink away"?

Alternatives to "sink away" include "fade away", "recede", "dwindle", or "disappear", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of diminishing or vanishing.

Is "sink away" a formal or informal expression?

"Sink away" leans towards a more literary or descriptive style and isn't typically used in very formal contexts. It's more common in narrative writing, where evocative language is valued over strict precision.

What's the difference between "sink away" and "fade away"?

While both phrases describe a gradual disappearance, "sink away" often carries a stronger connotation of being submerged or absorbed, whereas "fade away" emphasizes a loss of vibrancy or clarity. "The sound "faded away"" suggests a quieting, while "His hopes "sank away"" implies a deeper sense of loss or resignation.