sink me

USAGE SUMMARY

'sink me' is not a phrase that would be used in written English.
However, you can use the phrase 'sink or swim' as a phrase to mean 'succeed or fail' in written English. For example, you could write: "It was sink or swim for the project when the key personnel left."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But they won't sink me.

The Guardian

"People will sink me to the bottom," Mr. Bossi said.

The New York Times - Tech

I told him not to worry, that his testimony wouldn't sink me, and to just be honest.

The Guardian - Music

When we knew that the boat was definitely going to sink, me and my three friends from Syria jumped into the sea.

Independent

"I do not think that fuller knowledge would sink me in your estimation, but my life would look like a featureless one indeed were I only to show you its outward aspect, with no thorough disclosure of the inner mechanism," he told her.

The New Yorker

Slowly overlaid onto Jane's face, as filming continued, was that of his own daughter, Taylor, and that day, Cranston recalls, "I went to a place I had never been": I'd put everything, everything into that scene – all the things I was and all the things I might have been, all the side-roads and missteps, all the stuttering successes and losses I thought might sink me.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"This is sinking me," he admitted.

The New York Times

They sank me into the ocean Wishing me to remain in the depths.

The Economist

"This sinks me," Mr. Sutton said of the killing, which he claimed he knew nothing about.

The New York Times

"If I hadn't changed, it would have sunk me," he writes.

The New York Times

"Thank you for sinking me turning your back, take good care of my children," it reads in part.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "sink me" can be used informally to express disbelief or shock, consider using more standard phrases like "overwhelm me" or "defeat me" in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "sink me" in formal or academic writing. It's generally more appropriate for informal conversations or creative writing where colloquial language is acceptable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sink me" functions primarily as an exclamation, expressing surprise, shock, or disbelief. It's an informal way of conveying strong emotion, similar to idioms like "well, I'll be!" Ludwig AI signals that it's not a phrase that would be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sink me" is an exclamation used to express surprise or disbelief. Ludwig AI indicates that this is not a phrase to be used in written English. While it appears in some news and media sources, its usage is largely informal and not grammatically correct in standard English. In formal contexts, it's best to opt for more standard expressions like "I'm surprised" or "I'm astonished". Although the examples found are all from News & Media, its use remains uncommon and is generally discouraged in professional or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelm me

Focuses on the feeling of being burdened or defeated, similar to being sunk.

defeat me

Highlights the act of being beaten or overcome, akin to being sunk by something.

bring me down

Emphasizes a lowering of spirits or status, analogous to sinking in morale.

ruin me

Indicates a complete loss or destruction, paralleling the consequences of sinking.

destroy me

Conveys a sense of utter devastation, similar to the impact of being sunk by an event.

get the better of me

Implies being outdone or surpassed by something, akin to being sunk by a competitor.

be the end of me

Signifies a fatal or decisive event, similar to the finality of sinking.

take me under

Suggests being submerged or overcome by something, a more metaphorical sinking.

drag me down

Indicates being pulled into a negative state or situation, similar to sinking.

pull me under

Conveys the action of being forcibly submerged or defeated, mirroring the act of sinking.

FAQs

What does the phrase "sink me" mean?

The phrase "sink me" is an exclamation of surprise, shock, or disbelief. It's similar to saying "well, I'll be!" or "I'm astonished!" However, it's not considered standard English.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "sink me"?

It's appropriate to use "sink me" in informal conversations or creative writing where colloquial language is desired. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts.

What can I say instead of "sink me" in a formal setting?

In a formal setting, you can use alternatives like "I'm astonished", "I'm surprised", or rephrase the sentence to express your shock or disbelief more directly.

Is "sink me" grammatically correct?

No, "sink me" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's an idiomatic expression used informally.