something feels amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something feels amiss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a sense of unease or that something is not quite right in a situation. Example: "As I walked into the room, I couldn't shake the feeling that something feels amiss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Yet there is no word for the kind of déjà vu where something feels amiss, where roles have been reversed or people are not acting the way we would expect.

The Times

While the account boasts over 100k followers and links to Banksy's website, something feels amiss about the elusive Brit's web presence (and it's not just the inclusion of '80s hair metal).

Vice

However, something feels amiss.

Huffington Post

Our sense is that they are ignoring their emotions, and trying to "be brave" but something feels amiss.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Something feels missing and amiss, even as Ida muses on missing.

The New York Times - Books

But although I did not lack for pals or girlfriends, though my parents and I remained close, though I played sports and partied with as much zeal as the next guy, something persistently felt amiss.

The New York Times

"This time, we could feel something was amiss," she said.

The New York Times

He had felt something go amiss in his right knee in the previous set.

The New York Times - Sports

But the scheme quickly unraveled, authorities said, when the hedge fund representative and the secretary felt something was amiss, and Mr. Dreier was arrested soon after.

The New York Times

Philip and Peter Sprayregen both said that they felt something was amiss, but that it was a difficult subject to raise with their mother.

The New York Times

And even worrywarts who felt something was amiss had no idea of how bad the consequences would be.That was partly to do with professional silos, which limited both the tools available and the imaginations of the practitioners.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something feels amiss" when you want to convey a subtle sense of unease or that a situation is not quite right, without necessarily pointing to a specific problem.

Common error

While appropriate in many situations, "something feels amiss" might be too subtle or understated for formal or business writing. In those cases, consider more direct alternatives like "there is a cause for concern" or "a discrepancy has been identified".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something feels amiss" functions as an expression of subjective perception, indicating a sense that something is not quite right or is out of order. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing vague unease or suspicion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "something feels amiss" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a subtle sense of unease or that something is not quite right. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While its frequency is uncommon, it's primarily found in News & Media contexts. For more formal settings, alternatives like "there is a cause for concern" might be more appropriate. Remember to use this phrase when you want to express an intuitive feeling that something isn't right without pointing to a specific problem.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something is not quite right

This is a more explicit way of stating that something is amiss without being overly dramatic.

something doesn't feel right

This variation focuses on the feeling that things are not as they should be.

something seems wrong

This alternative uses a more direct and common term, "wrong", instead of "amiss".

something seems off

This option uses the informal term "off" to suggest that something isn't quite right.

I sense something is wrong

This alternative highlights the speaker's personal feeling about the situation.

I suspect something is wrong

This indicates a suspicion or a belief that something is not as it appears.

my gut tells me something is wrong

This option emphasizes intuition as the basis for suspecting that something is amiss.

there's something fishy going on

This idiom uses the word "fishy" to imply that something is suspicious or dishonest.

I have a bad feeling about this

This expresses a general sense of foreboding or unease about a situation.

I perceive something awry

This is a formal way to say something is amiss.

FAQs

What does "something feels amiss" mean?

The phrase "something feels amiss" means that there is a sense that something is not quite right or that something is out of place. It suggests a subtle feeling of unease or that something is not as it should be.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "something feels amiss"?

It's appropriate to use "something feels amiss" when you want to express a vague or intuitive feeling that something isn't right, without being able to pinpoint the exact issue. It is suitable for expressing a subtle sense of unease or suspicion.

What can I say instead of "something feels amiss"?

You can use alternatives like "something seems wrong", "something seems off", or "something doesn't feel right" depending on the context.

How can I use "something feels amiss" in a sentence?

You can use "something feels amiss" in a sentence like this: "As I reviewed the data, something felt amiss, but I couldn't identify the specific error" or "Walking into the abandoned house, something felt amiss, sending shivers down my spine".