sink in
Gradually become clear
When something sinks in, it gradually becomes understood or fully absorbed by the mind.
The phrase describes that moment when information, news, or a realization finally registers after initial shock or confusion.
It took a few days for the news of her promotion to sink in.
Let that sink in for a moment.
The expression draws on the image of something slowly penetrating a surface, like water soaking into soil.
- impressionEffect on the mind
- penetrateEnter or pass through
- percolateFilter through gradually
- dawnDay's first glow
- fall into placeBecome organized naturally
clarify · realization · light bulb moment · absorb · apprehend · come home · register · marinate · take root · get through · awareness · epiphany · grasp · click · comprehension · take hold · learn · recognition
- inward movementinhale, absorb, intake, retract, withdraw
- mindfulnessmindfulness, meditation, meditate, breathe, breath
- understandingunderstand, comprehend, grasp, fathom, follow
- snap out of itsnap out of it, get a grip, get it together, shake it off, wake up
- survivalsurvival, survive, endure, persist, last
- learninglearning, learn, classes, instruction, studying
sink inescape
Flight from captivity
miss · bounce off · go in one ear and out the other · elude · whoosh
sink ingo in one ear and out the other
Heard without being remembered
slip away · bounce off · fade · evaporate · wash over