guilty conscience

/ˌgɪlti ˌkɑnʃəns/

Other forms: guilty consciences

Definitions of guilty conscience

1. noun

   remorse caused by feeling responsible for some offense
   synonyms: guilt, guilt feelings, guilt trip

   types:

   survivor guilt

   a deep feeling of guilt often experienced by those who have survived some catastrophe that took the lives of many others; derives in part from a feeling that they did not do enough to save the others who perished and in part from feelings of being unworthy relative to those who died

   type of:

   compunction, remorse, self-reproach

   a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)