slap
Meaning
To strike someone or something with an open hand, typically producing a sharp sound; metaphorically, it can also refer to the act of delivering a sudden or forceful criticism or reprimand, often with the intent to provoke reflection or change in behavior.
💡 While "slap" can denote physical contact, in a figurative sense, it often implies a more impactful or emotional reprimand, which can be misinterpreted as merely physical or superficial in less formal contexts.
Example Sentences
Word in Context
He
sat
at
the
kitchen
table
,
sipping
coffee
and
skimming
the
performance
review
when
a
single
terse
sentence
stopped
him
mid
-
sip
.
The
line
—
blunt
and
unexpected
—
slapped
him
into
acknowledging
months
of
complacency
he
had
been
quietly
tolerating
.
For
a
moment
he
felt
unsettled
,
but
instead
of
shrinking
from
the
truth
he
analysed
which
routines
had
become
permissive
and
which
habits
he
could
realistically
amend
.
By
the
time
the
rain
eased
and
the
cup
was
cold
,
he
had
sketched
a
modest
plan
to
reprioritise
tasks
and
ask
for
targeted
feedback
.
It
wasn't
dramatic
,
only
a
sober
reassessment
prompted
by
an
abrupt
phrase
,
yet
that
quiet
correction
might
be
what
turns
his
months
of
drift
into
steady
progress
.
Common Phrases
slap someone in the face
slap down criticism
slap on the wrist
Synonyms
Related Words
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