A sinking feeling Meaning in English
expression
Definition
A sudden feeling of worry, fear, or dread, often when you realize something bad might happen or has happened.
Usage & Nuances
This is an idiomatic, informal expression mainly used about negative emotions. Often used with verbs like 'get', 'have', or 'feel'. Not literal—it's about an emotional reaction, not actually sinking.
Example Sentences
I had a sinking feeling when I saw the dark clouds.
basic
She got a sinking feeling after reading the message.
basic
He felt a sinking feeling in his stomach before the test.
basic
I got a sinking feeling when my boss called me into his office unexpectedly.
natural
Whenever the phone rings late at night, I have a sinking feeling that something's wrong.
natural
As soon as I walked into the room, a sinking feeling told me I had forgotten something important.
natural