Pronunciation: [sˈaŋk ˌɪntʊ] (IPA) 
The phrase "sank into" is spelled just as it sounds. The 'sank' part is pronounced /sæŋk/ with the 'a' sound being similar to the 'a' in 'cat' and 'back'. The 'into' part is pronounced /ˈɪn.tu/ with the stress on the second syllable and the 'i' sound similar to the 'i' in 'bit' and 'hit'. The combination of these two words forms a past tense verb used to describe something sinking beneath the surface or into a substance.
Sank into is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of gradually descending or submerging into something, often resulting in being surrounded or covered by that particular element or environment. It can be used in both literal and figurative senses, depending on the context.
In a literal sense, sank into can describe the physical process of something or someone slowly and steadily submerging beneath the surface of a liquid or soft substance. For example, "The heavy rock sank into the depths of the ocean" or "She sank into the comfy bed and fell asleep immediately."
Figuratively, sank into can be used to convey a mental or emotional state of becoming deeply absorbed or overwhelmed by a particular thought, feeling, or situation. It signifies a gradual surrender or submission to a particular experience or condition. For instance, "After days of stress, he sank into a state of depression" or "As she listened to the serene music, she sank into a state of tranquility."
The phrase "sank into" often implies a sense of being enveloped, absorbed, or consumed, whether it be physically or metaphorically. It denotes a movement or change that brings one closer to an experience or state, thus implying a loss of control or resistance to that change.
The word "sank" originated from the Old English word "sincan", meaning "to become submerged or go downwards". It can also be traced back to the Proto-Germanic base *sinkwanan. The preposition "into" comes from the Old English word "intō", which means "in, into", and can be traced back to Proto-Germanic *intō. When combined, "sank into" simply refers to the act of descending or submerging into something.
