heart sinks, one's

Idioms and Phrases

One's courage or hope fails; one is very disappointed or dejected. For example, An hour before the picnic I heard thunder and my heart sank . This expression was first recorded in 1605 but was preceded in the 15th century by one's heart is at one's heels or in one's hose or in one's shoes . The present (and only surviving) usage was first recorded in 1605.