that must sting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that must sting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express sympathy or understanding for someone who has experienced a painful or hurtful situation. Example: "I heard you didn't get the promotion you were hoping for. That must sting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Even for seemingly thick-skinned Kalanick, that must sting.

TechCrunch

That must sting.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That must especially sting, given that these income losses are probably accompanied by student loan debt.

The New York Times

It seems that eventually other companies did.The fine must sting all the more because Microsoft's transgression brought it little if any gain.

The Economist

It must sting to know that by sitting out this race he will go down in history as the only Democratic Vice-President in modern times who couldn't win his party's nomination.

The New Yorker

Trump, then, poses an Aesopian challenge to Ryan; the scorpion must sting the frog because that is its nature.

Los Angeles Times

The loss must sting a bit extra for Alabama fans, as Montgomery admitted going into the game that he didn't know who Bear Bryant was.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, you could be stung by a caterpillar while walking barefoot in the Peruvian jungle, and die, if you didn't have the antivenom that must be administered within 24 hours.

The New York Times

Carol Vorderman doesn't like him any more, they say – and that one must really sting, especially for anyone who's seen any of the borderline-unwatchable adverts she's churned out.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Then there are the blows that really sting.

The New York Times

Strong words, and ones that still sting today.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that must sting" to express empathy when someone experiences a setback, failure, or disappointment. It acknowledges their pain without dwelling on it.

Common error

Avoid using "that must sting" repeatedly in close succession. Vary your expressions of empathy to sound more genuine and less formulaic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that must sting" functions as an empathetic interjection, expressing understanding and sympathy towards someone experiencing a setback or disappointment. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase directly acknowledges the unpleasantness of a situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academic sources

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that must sting" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey empathy. It is particularly apt for acknowledging someone's disappointment or setback, as validated by Ludwig. While versatile, remember to avoid overuse and consider more formal alternatives depending on the context. Its frequent appearance in news and media outlets signifies its general acceptability and widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that must hurt

Changes the verb to "hurt", suggesting a more direct and immediate sense of pain.

that has to sting

Replaces "must" with "has to", offering a slightly different emphasis on the certainty of the unpleasantness.

that must be painful

Adds "painful" to explicitly state the presence of pain, making the statement more descriptive.

that can't be easy

Uses understatement to express sympathy, focusing on the difficulty of the situation.

that's got to sting

Employs a more colloquial tone, using "got to" instead of "must".

that's rough

Offers a simple and informal expression of sympathy.

that's a blow

Uses a metaphorical term, "blow", to represent a setback or disappointment.

that's gotta hurt

Combines colloquial language with the directness of "hurt".

i bet that stings

Phrases it as a personal assessment of the situation.

that must be disheartening

Focuses on the emotional impact, highlighting the potential for discouragement.

FAQs

How can I use "that must sting" in a sentence?

"That must sting" is used to express sympathy or understanding when someone experiences something unpleasant. For example, "Losing the final game after such a great season, "that must sting"".

What's a more formal alternative to "that must sting"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "that must be disheartening" or "that must be quite disappointing". These alternatives convey sympathy in a professional setting.

Is "that must sting" appropriate in all situations?

While generally acceptable, "that must sting" may be too informal for highly formal or sensitive situations. Consider your audience and the context when choosing your words.

What's the difference between "that must sting" and "that must hurt"?

While similar, "that must hurt" implies a more immediate and possibly physical pain, whereas "that must sting" often refers to a more emotional or pride-related discomfort.