sour feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

"sour feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a negative emotion related to disappointment, anger, dislike, etc. Example sentence: The sour feeling of betrayal lingered in the air.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In the end, a sour feeling about Byron predominates.

The New York Times - Books

"It left such a sour feeling in me".

The New York Times

Obviously, it's going to be a sour feeling in me".

The New York Times - Sports

I get a sour feeling about books in general and my own in particular.

The New Yorker

Because there is much sour feeling over who made South America's beloved brandy first (and who, today, distils the finest batch).

The Guardian - Travel

Perspective, resignation, indifference: eventually, within hours sometimes, they take over, but watching the handshake, I had a sour feeling, knowing that another year of hockey-watching — months of muttering under my breath about mistakes or springing up to celebrate slick overtime goals — had ended in capitulation.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

For fans, Black Monday is partly a day of catharsis, indulging in the dark and sour feelings of release after a season filled with losses.

The New Yorker

With Senate Democrats holding a razor-thin majority, Mr. Reid's sour feelings for Mr. Bush are more a symptom than a cause of Congressional gridlock.

The New York Times

In mid-January, negotiations at Shepherdstown, W.Va., between Syria's foreign minister, Farouk al-Shara, and the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Barak, ended with no agreement and with sour feelings on both sides.

The New York Times

The Legislature's reluctance to take on far-reaching changes in land-use laws in an election year, when builders contribute heavily to campaigns, has left the governor's staff members with sour feelings toward the lawmakers.

The New York Times

I'm guessing he received some legal advice before striking a deal with Lightspeed, and it probably was not terrible even if it created sour feelings later.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sour feeling" to describe a specific negative emotion, often related to disappointment, betrayal, or injustice. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing this feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "sour feeling" to describe physical discomfort, such as indigestion or a stomach ache. While "sour" can relate to taste, the phrase typically refers to an emotional state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sour feeling" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "sour" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "feeling". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English to describe a negative emotion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sour feeling" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a negative emotional state often stemming from disappointment or betrayal. While not extremely common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of the feeling. Consider alternatives like "bitter sentiment" or "unpleasant emotion" for more formal writing or to emphasize specific aspects of the emotion. Avoid confusing it with physical discomfort. This phrase effectively conveys a lingering sense of negativity in various neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bitter sentiment

Replaces "sour" with "bitter", emphasizing the resentful aspect of the feeling.

lingering resentment

Focuses on the enduring quality of the negative feeling.

residual bitterness

Highlights the lingering nature and the particular emotional flavor of the feeling.

unpleasant emotion

Generalizes the feeling, focusing on its disagreeable nature without specifying the exact type.

disagreeable feeling

Similar to "unpleasant emotion" but with a slightly stronger emphasis on discord.

negative sensation

Shifts from emotional to physical terminology to describe the feeling.

unhappy experience

Frames the feeling as part of a negative event or situation.

bad vibe

Uses a more informal term for negative emotional state.

bitter taste

Emphasizes the taste associated with the negative emotions.

ill will

Replaces the word feeling and highlights the negative intention or desire.

FAQs

How can I use "sour feeling" in a sentence?

You can use "sour feeling" to describe a lingering negative emotion after a disappointing or unpleasant experience. For example: "The failed negotiation left a "sour feeling" between the two companies."

What's a less common synonym for "sour feeling"?

A less common synonym for "sour feeling" is "bitter sentiment". This emphasizes the resentful aspect of the emotion.

Is it appropriate to use "sour feeling" in formal writing?

While "sour feeling" is generally acceptable, in very formal writing, consider stronger or more precise alternatives like "lingering resentment" or "unpleasant emotion" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "sour feeling" and "bad feeling"?

"Sour feeling" often implies a specific cause and a lingering negative emotional state, while "bad feeling" is a more general term for any negative emotion or intuition.