"Not sinking in" means that something isn't completely understood, felt, or known, especially when experiencing a new situation or information.
When you say "It hasn't sunk in yet," you are expressing that a new experience, fact, or situation has happened, but you haven't fully processed or come to terms with it mentally or emotionally. It's like the information is still on the surface and hasn't gone deep into your understanding or feelings.
Understanding the Phrase: "It Hasn't Sunk In Yet"
Based on the provided reference, the core meaning revolves around a lack of full comprehension or emotional processing regarding a new event or piece of information.
Key Aspects:
- Incomplete Understanding: You might know what happened, but you don't fully grasp the implications or details.
- Lack of Full Emotional Impact: The emotional weight or reality of a situation hasn't fully registered. You might feel numb or detached initially.
- New Experience/Situation: This phrase is typically used when encountering something novel or significant that requires time to process.
Think of it like water on a sponge; until it "sinks in," the sponge remains dry. Similarly, until information or an experience "sinks in," its full reality or impact hasn't been absorbed by your mind or feelings.
When Might You Use "Not Sinking In"?
This phrase is commonly used in various situations involving significant or new events. Here are a few examples:
- Receiving Shocking News: Like winning the lottery or hearing about a major unexpected event.
- Experiencing a Major Life Change: Starting a new job, moving to a new city, getting married, or having a baby.
- Learning Complex Information: Trying to understand a difficult subject or concept for the first time.
- Achieving a Long-Awaited Goal: Finally reaching a milestone you worked towards for a long time.
In these scenarios, the initial reaction might be disbelief, detachment, or simply a lack of full realization. The feeling that it hasn't "sunk in" yet describes this state of incomplete processing.
Examples in Context
Let's look at how this phrase might be used:
- Scenario: You just got accepted into your dream university.
- Statement: "I got the acceptance letter today, but it still hasn't sunk in! It feels unreal."
- Scenario: A close friend announced they are moving to another country next week.
- Statement: "They told me they're leaving, but it really hasn't sunk in yet that they'll be gone."
- Scenario: You just finished a challenging project that took months.
- Statement: "The project is finally done, but it hasn't sunk in yet that I don't have to work on it tonight."
In Summary
Using the reference, "It hasn't sunk in yet" is a phrase used when something isn't completely understood, felt, or known after experiencing a new situation or receiving new information. It describes the period where the reality or implications of an event are still being processed.
| Phrase | Meaning | Context Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Not sinking in | Not fully understood, felt, or known | Shocking news, major life changes, new experiences |
| It hasn't sunk in | The reality or impact of something isn't fully registered | Winning lotto, starting new job, finishing project |
