stone drop in one's gut

[alpacinou]

Does it make sense to say "stone drop in one's gut" when one is nervous/anxious?

Is this okay?

Jack heard the door open and saw a large shadow stretching on the floor. A stone dropped in his gut and his heart punched against his chest.

 

[5jj]

It's not at all natural.

 

[alpacinou]

It's not at all natural.

What's a natural way of expressing it?

 

[emsr2d2]

His heart was in his mouth ...
His heart/stomach dropped like a stone ...

 

[5jj]

saw a large shadow stretching on the floor.

I don't think shadows stretch.

 

[alpacinou]

It's not at all natural.

Were you referring to "stone drop in one's gut" or "shadows stretch"?

Is this okay?

A stone dropped in his gut and his heart punched against his chest.

 

[5jj]

Were you referring to "stone drop in one's gut" or "shadows stretch"?

I was responding to your question "Does it make sense to say "stone drop in one's gut" when one is nervous/anxious?"

 

[alpacinou]

Is this okay?

Jack heard the door open and saw a large shadow on the floor. His heart dropped like a stone and he fumbled in his drawer for his gun.

 

[Tarheel]

It would be odd to see a shadow and not see what caused the shadow.

 

[emsr2d2]

It would be odd to see a shadow and not see what caused the shadow.

I disagree. It depends on the angle and the light.

 

[Tarheel]

I disagree. It depends on the angle and the light.

Yes, it does. Do you usually see shadows without seeing what caused them?

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes, it does. Do you usually see shadows without seeing what caused them?

Something doesn't have to "usually" happen in order for it to happen.

 

[probus]

Does it make sense to say "stone drop in one's gut" when one is nervous/anxious?

English has a nice idiom for that feeling: butterflies in one's stomach.

 

[Tarheel]

Something doesn't have to "usually" happen in order for it to happen.

I never said it did.