to experience a sudden, sharp feeling (often unpleasant) · a brief, intense emotional sensation
Imagine you are scrolling through old photos and suddenly you see a picture from your childhood. You might 'feel a pang of nostalgia' for those simpler times. Or, if you accidentally forget a friend's birthday, you might 'feel a pang of guilt' when you remember! It's that quick, sharp emotional hit. 😭
💡 **Pro-tip!** This expression is super versatile. You can 'feel a pang of' almost any sudden, strong emotion, but it is most commonly used with negative or bittersweet feelings like guilt, regret, sadness, or nostalgia. It emphasizes the *suddenness* and *sharpness* of the emotion, like a little emotional jab! Do not use it for sustained emotions. 😉
When would you most likely 'feel a pang of regret'? A. When you win the lottery and are super happy. B. When you accidentally delete an important file without backing it up. C. When you successfully complete a challenging project at work.