sinking into oblivion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sinking into oblivion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is gradually being forgotten or lost from memory or existence. Example: "The once-popular television show is now sinking into oblivion, with few people remembering its characters or storylines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Only time will tell if Mayer can lead Yahoo out of its troubled position, but as Fox says, she is probably one of only a handful of people who could save the company from sinking into oblivion.

The Guardian - Tech

In a 1956 autobiography, "In and Out of Character," Basil Rathbone, who played the detective in more than a dozen films, complained that because of his portrayal of Holmes his renown for other parts, including Oscar-nominated ones, was "sinking into oblivion".

The New Yorker

With union membership falling to 13percentt of the work force from 35percentt in the 1950's, union leaders bemoan labor's decline and say a major effort is needed to organize more workers and to amend the labor laws if unions are to avoid sinking into oblivion.

The New York Times

This Sunday it will be No. 3. Defying conventional publishing wisdom, which says that a book must break into the best-seller lists in its first weeks on sale or risk sinking into oblivion, the book, which is a year and a half old, has also gathered steam despite not being sold in mass-market retailers like Wal-Mart, which can often account for a significant proportion of sales.

The New York Times - Books

It is the danger of these unique instruments sinking into oblivion that has motivated our writing of this review paper.

International Journal of Mass Spectrometry

With the economy growing steadily, the threat of inflation sinking into oblivion and the government cleaning up its fiscal act, bonds seemed deceptively irrelevant.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Let Saturday sink into oblivion".

The New York Times - Books

But cork is not about to sink into oblivion.

The New York Times

Hands are tied as this project sinks into oblivion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Often music sinks into oblivion for a reason.

The New York Times - Arts

If there is any justice in the world, this film would sink into oblivion.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sinking into oblivion" to describe processes or entities that are gradually losing relevance or being forgotten. Ensure the context clearly indicates a decline or disappearance from prominence.

Common error

Avoid using "sinking into oblivion" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly dramatic. Opt for simpler phrases like "being forgotten" or "fading away" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sinking into oblivion" functions as a descriptive idiom, typically used to depict a gradual process of decline, loss of relevance, or being forgotten. It conveys a sense of something disappearing from memory or existence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sinking into oblivion" is a descriptive idiom used to convey the gradual disappearance of something from memory or existence. Grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While not extremely common, its usage is well-established, particularly in describing the decline of technologies, historical events, or cultural phenomena. For alternatives, consider "fading into obscurity" or "slipping into forgetfulness", depending on the specific nuance you aim to achieve.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succumbing to oblivion

Uses a more dramatic verb to describe yielding to being forgotten.

passing into oblivion

Highlights the act of transitioning towards being forgotten.

fading into obscurity

Focuses on the gradual loss of recognition or importance.

descending into obscurity

Describes a downward trajectory towards being unknown.

slipping into forgetfulness

Emphasizes the process of being forgotten, especially in terms of memory.

vanishing from memory

Highlights the disappearance from people's minds.

receding into the past

Indicates a movement away from present relevance and into history.

being lost to time

Suggests the irreversible disappearance due to the passage of time.

falling into disuse

Implies a decline in usage or practice, leading to eventual abandonment.

dissolving into nothingness

Emphasizes the complete disappearance and loss of identity.

FAQs

How can I use "sinking into oblivion" in a sentence?

You can use "sinking into oblivion" to describe something gradually disappearing from memory or existence. For example, "The once-popular technology is now "sinking into oblivion"."

What is a good alternative to "sinking into oblivion"?

Alternatives include "fading into obscurity", "slipping into forgetfulness", or "vanishing from memory", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "sinking into oblivion" or "fading into oblivion"?

Both phrases are correct, but "sinking into oblivion" suggests a gradual decline towards being completely forgotten, while "fading into oblivion" emphasizes a gradual loss of visibility or importance.

What does it mean when something is described as "sinking into oblivion"?

It means that something is gradually being forgotten, becoming irrelevant, or disappearing from existence. The phrase suggests a decline or descent into a state of being unknown or nonexistent.