---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do you know that feeling? When you meet…"
description: "\"“Do you know that feeling? When you meet someone and you know? The sudden hollowing out of your torso, as if your lungs, heart, viscera have gone and t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/906/william-boyd-3581_fear_do-you-know-that-feeling-when-you-meet-s_616145.jpg"
---

#  Do you know that feeling? When you meet someone and you…

![“Do you know that feeling? When you meet someone and you know? The sudden hollowing out of your torso, as if your lungs, heart, viscera have gone and the ribs seem to creak like barrel staves under too much pressure. Glimmerings, intimations of the way I felt now had occurred before with Faye…” quote by William Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/906/william-boyd-3581_fear_do-you-know-that-feeling-when-you-meet-s_616145.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/906/william-boyd-3581_fear_do-you-know-that-feeling-when-you-meet-s_616145.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/906/william-boyd-3581_fear_do-you-know-that-feeling-when-you-meet-s_616145.jpg)

> ““Do you know that feeling? When you meet someone and you know? The sudden hollowing out of your torso, as if your lungs, heart, viscera have gone and the ribs seem to creak like barrel staves under too much pressure. Glimmerings, intimations of the way I felt now had occurred before with Faye Hobhouse, Dagmar - even Huguette. It is, I think, to do with fear: a fear of impotence - not sexual, but of lacking the power or ability to capture the object of your vital passion. A haunting dread that you will never have the chance again, that the moment has passed you by for ever.””

[William Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-boyd/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A visceral fear of losing the chance to pursue a deep passion, feeling emptiness when confronting a potential loss.

**In simple terms:** Fear of missing a vital opportunity.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and act on passions before they slip away.

Themes

fear passion loss existential anxiety

Mood

intense reflective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- romantic relationships
- career decisions
- creative projects
- personal growth

Key Concepts

existential dread psychological insight emotional resonance

Questions to Reflect On

- What passion are you postponing?
- How does recognizing fear change your choices?

A Different Perspective

Even if fear is present, action can mitigate regret.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear Impotence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-impotence-2549161/) [Feeling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feeling/) [Felt Occurred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felt-occurred-4994089/) [Know Feeling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-feeling/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/)

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