sink into despair

sink into despair

To enter into a state of utter hopelessness, helplessness, and depression. I sank into despair when I was told I hadn't gotten the job. We can't sink into despair just because our sales figures weren't what we were hoping for—we've got to pick ourselves up and do what is necessary to get back on track!
See also: despair, sink
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

sink into despair

to become depressed; to become completely discouraged. After facing the hopelessness of the future, Jean Paul sank into despair. Mary sank into despair upon learning of the death of her grandmother.
See also: despair, sink
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • fall into despair
  • sink into depression
  • depression
  • fall into depression
  • drive (one) to despair
  • drive to despair
  • despair
  • a counsel of despair
  • counsel
  • throw up one's hands, to
References in periodicals archive
When the teenager sustained serious ankle ligament damage in training last October - which required surgery - it would have been easy to sink into despair.
I played the weighting gain when I was out injured; CELTIC LATEST KIERAN'S POWER PLAY Tierney used weeks on the sidelines to bulk up and come back as our game's best youngster
Democrat supporters sink into despair as Donald Trump, above, sweeps into power
AMERICAN HORROR STORY
Democrat supporters sink into despair as Donald Trump (above) sweeps into power
or AMERICAN HORROR STORY
Seek help, or sink into despair? Reach up to grasp a hand, or reach out for a bottle, or needle, or some other vial of trouble?
It's up to you
Coupled with the support of friends and family, and recognising there are facilities (admittedly limited in scope in Cyprus) designed to make old age and infirmity not only bearable but almost entirely manageable, it does mean that there is no need to sink into despair and resignation.
The challenges of managing old age
Both pony and girl are resilient and while there are unhappy moments, Citra never lets the story sink into despair.
The Way Home
We can't afford to sink into despair at the time we need passion and positive thinking.
Now is the time to get behind Toon; We urge all true fans to focus on what matters - surviving in the Premier League
And instead of allowing herself to sink into despair, she is ploughing her efforts into launching a Merthyr Tydfil branch of the charity which helped get her back on track.
THE FIRST 20 YEARS OF MY LIFE WIPED OUT; Lisa lost her memory and had to learn to walk after crash - now she helps others to recover
I can see how people sink into despair, but I just didn't let it happen.
Slimmed down and chasing another supreme moment; Maktu's trainer Pat Murphy has little need for hair products but, as Peter Thomas discovers, he has plenty to thank them for
GILL Roberts didn't sink into despair when she was made redundant at 52.
I LANDED A PLUMB POSITION; How mum Gill traded her redundancy for a new start
If we relax into life, we will simply sink into despair. However, if we live in a living universe, feelings of subtle connection, curiosity, and gratitude are understandable.
What we are really
Still, the process of redirecting attention to possibilities can be a valuable source of support and guidance to people who are starting to sink into despair.
The oxygen of confidence
They wrote not only to express their feelings for one another, but to begin the process of constructing a post-war life, if only in their minds, rather than sink into despair.
`Steal a Pencil' a magical film
Now I wouldn't really say I was the optimistic type, but I have to cling to the hope that the storm will have passed by the time I get there, or I might just sink into despair.
WET Weekend: Teen Talk
They lost their jobs with the collapse of MG Rover, but did not sink into despair and inactivity.
Our Say