jab
/dʒæb/ (bre, ipa) · /dʒæb/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈjab/ (ame, mw)
jab — verb
- jabpresent simple I / you / we / they
- jabshe / she / it
- jabbedpast simple
- jabbing-ing form
1. to strike or press a thin, sharp item such as a fingertip, stick, or needle into
to strike or press a thin, sharp item such as a fingertip, stick, or needle into someone or something using a sudden strong motion
Theo jabbed his finger at the map to show us where the hotel was.
jab + finger + at + [target]
A sharp branch jabbed Fatima in the arm as she pushed through the bushes.
Omar jabbed the campfire with a long stick to make the flames rise again.
The little boy kept jabbing at the puddle with the end of his umbrella.
Elena jabbed her elbow into Diego's side to stop him talking during the movie.
文法句型
jab + [object] + at/into + [target]
jab + at + [target]
用法筆記
Intransitive form (jab at) is used when the target is mentioned with a preposition rather than as a direct object.
常見錯誤
2. to deliver medicine or a vaccine through a needle under the skin, used especiall
to deliver medicine or a vaccine through a needle under the skin, used especially in casual British conversation
The nurse jabbed Wei in the upper arm with the flu vaccine.
jab + [person] + in + [body part] + with + [vaccine]
Have all the children at the school been jabbed against measles yet?
passive: be jabbed against + [disease]
The vet jabbed the old dog with antibiotics to fight the infection.
Millions of people got jabbed at the city centre clinic last winter.
My grandmother went to the pharmacy to get jabbed before her holiday abroad.
文法句型
jab + [person] + with + [medicine/vaccine]
be jabbed against + [disease]
用法筆記
This is the informal British English way of saying 'inject' or 'vaccinate'. In American English, 'shot' (noun) and 'get a shot' are more common than 'jab' for this meaning.
常見錯誤
3. to make a quick, straight hit with the closed hand in boxing, usually to keep an
to make a quick, straight hit with the closed hand in boxing, usually to keep an opponent at a distance or set up a stronger punch
The boxer jabbed at his opponent's face to keep him away.
jab at + [opponent's body part]
Hana practised jabbing the heavy bag for twenty minutes before the match.
The champion jabbed twice with his left hand and then threw a powerful right hook.
The trainer taught the young fighter to jab properly while keeping his guard up.
Lee watched the taller boxer jab repeatedly at his opponent's ribs.
文法句型
jab + at + [opponent]
jab + [body part]
用法筆記
In boxing, 'jab' is a technical term for a specific type of punch — a quick, straight punch delivered with the lead hand. It is not used for hooks or uppercuts.
常見錯誤
4. in sports, to strike a ball with your foot using a rapid, forceful motion, usual
in sports, to strike a ball with your foot using a rapid, forceful motion, usually without trapping or stopping it first
The striker jabbed the ball past the goalkeeper into the bottom corner of the net.
jab + ball + past + [player] + into + [area]
Minh jabbed at the loose ball before the defender could reach it.
With no time to stop the pass, Sanjay jabbed it towards the goal.
The midfielder jabbed a quick pass to the winger on the left flank.
Amara ran onto the cross and jabbed the ball past the keeper from close range.
文法句型
jab + [ball] + past/into/towards + [target]
jab — noun
- jabsingular
- jabsplural
1. a sudden, forceful push or hit, often done with something thin and sharp or with
a sudden, forceful push or hit, often done with something thin and sharp or with a closed fist
Aisha felt a sharp jab in her ribs and turned to find her friend laughing.
sharp jab + in + [body part]
The boxer landed a quick jab to the chin in round one.
The dog's wet nose gave Sofia a jab against her leg and woke her up.
Kofi gave the heavy wooden door a firm jab with his shoulder to open it.
A sudden jab of pain shot through Noa's knee when she stepped off the bus.
用法筆記
When used metaphorically (e.g. 'a jab of pain'), it describes a sudden, sharp sensation that comes and goes quickly.
2. an act of putting medicine or a vaccine into the body through a needle, or the l
an act of putting medicine or a vaccine into the body through a needle, or the liquid that is put in
Jack went to the clinic for a flu jab before winter arrived.
[disease] jab — common noun phrase
Millions of people received a Covid jab during the global vaccination campaign.
The nurse gave the little girl a quick jab and it was all over.
Do I need a tetanus jab after stepping on that rusty nail in the garden?
Grace felt nervous about getting her first jab, but the nurse was very gentle.
- injection
more formal; used in medical writing and professional contexts
- shot
the usual informal term in American English for the same concept
- vaccination
specifically for disease prevention; 'jab' can also mean this