slap
/slæp/ (bre, ipa) · /slæp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈslap/ (ame, mw)
slap — noun
- slapsingular
- slapsplural
1. a hit using the flat of your palm or any wide object, landing on a person or a s
a hit using the flat of your palm or any wide object, landing on a person or a surface
Selim gave his friend a playful slap on the shoulder after the joke.
collocation: a slap on [body part]
The wet towel landed on the floor with a loud slap.
sound of a flat object hitting a surface
Aoi felt a sharp slap on her cheek and turned around in shock.
Linh could hear the slap of the waves against the side of the boat.
- caress
a gentle, loving touch with the hand
文法句型
give someone a slap
receive a slap
用法筆記
This sense can describe either an intentional physical blow or the sound that results from a flat impact. The collocation 'a slap on the + body part' is the most common syntactic pattern.
常見錯誤
2. a remark or event that makes someone feel insulted, rejected, or personally atta
a remark or event that makes someone feel insulted, rejected, or personally attacked, as if they have been struck in a disrespectful way
Not being invited to the wedding was a real slap in the face for Kemi.
Luca took the criticism as a slap at his years of hard work.
collocation: a slap at [something]
The company's decision felt like a slap to everyone who had helped build it.
Owen viewed the low salary offer as a direct slap after his excellent interview.
- compliment
an expression of praise or admiration
文法句型
a slap in the face
a slap on the wrist
用法筆記
See also noun sense 4 for the milder idiom 'a slap on the wrist'. The phrase 'a slap in the face' is a fixed idiom; 'a slap at [something]' is a less common variant. Subject is usually the disappointing event or remark.
常見錯誤
3. a light strike on a person's back with an open palm, used as a positive gesture
a light strike on a person's back with an open palm, used as a positive gesture to celebrate an achievement or show support
After the goal, Caio gave his teammate a hearty slap on the back.
collocation: a slap on the back
The coach greeted each player with a slap on the back and a big smile.
Sivan received slaps on the back from everyone at the office after the deal closed.
Selim clapped his friend on the shoulder with a friendly slap after the race.
- pat on the back
gentler and usually less forceful than a slap on the back; can also be purely metaphorical
文法句型
give someone a slap on the back
用法筆記
Typically occurs in the fixed pattern 'a slap on the back'. The action is positive and encouraging, unlike the aggressive sense in noun sense 1. The verb form 'to slap someone on the back' is also common.
4. a small punishment or gentle criticism that is much lighter than what might be e
a small punishment or gentle criticism that is much lighter than what might be expected, intended to correct without causing serious harm
The judge gave the teenager a slap on the wrist instead of a prison sentence.
idiom: a slap on the wrist
The school treated the bullying incident with only a slap on the wrist, which angered parents.
Christopher worried that a simple warning would be just a slap on the wrist for such a serious mistake.
Many people felt the fine was nothing more than a slap on the wrist for the company.
- punishment
in a general sense; a slap on the wrist is a deliberately weak punishment
- crackdown
severe measures against wrongdoing
文法句型
a slap on the wrist
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed idiom 'a slap on the wrist'. Frequently carries a critical tone — the speaker thinks the punishment is too light. Cannot be used literally; it is always figurative.
常見錯誤
5. an informal UK word for the coloured creams, powders, and other products people
an informal UK word for the coloured creams, powders, and other products people apply to their face to change or improve their appearance
Élise always puts on her slap before going to a party.
informal UK register: 'slap' for make-up
Kevin's mum told him to wipe off that cheap slap before dinner.
Zuri left her slap on the bathroom shelf and forgot to pack it for the night out.
Linh rummaged through her bag looking for her slap before the photo.
用法筆記
This sense is informal and primarily used in UK English. It is not considered offensive but can sound dated or working-class. Not used in formal writing. The word 'make-up' is preferred in most contexts.
常見錯誤
slap — adverb
1. used to emphasise that something is in an exact position, often in the middle of
used to emphasise that something is in an exact position, often in the middle of a place or situation, and sometimes with a sense of sudden impact
The car stopped slap bang in the middle of the road.
idiom: slap bang in the middle
Maria's house is slap next to the noisy train station.
The new shopping centre was built slap in the middle of the old park.
His desk sat slap opposite the director's office door.
Joon and Mira found the keys slap bang in the middle of the table where everyone had looked.
文法句型
slap in the middle/centre of
slap bang
用法筆記
Informal adverb; more common in British English than American. Often paired with 'bang' in the compound 'slap bang'. Commonly appears with location phrases (middle, centre, next to, opposite).
常見錯誤
slap — verb
- slappresent simple I / you / we / they
- slapshe / she / it
- slappedpast simple
- slapping-ing form
1. to strike a person or thing using an open hand or a flat object, usually making
to strike a person or thing using an open hand or a flat object, usually making a sharp sound and often as an expression of anger, playfulness, or emphasis
Sahil slapped the table to get everyone's attention.
Luca's mother gently slapped his hand away from the hot stove.
Caio laughed and slapped his knee at the funny story.
The goalkeeper slapped the ball over the net.
Outraged by the comment, Kemi slapped the man across the face.
- stroke
to move a hand gently across a surface
文法句型
slap + object + on + body part
slap + object + across/in/on
用法筆記
Usually transitive. The object can be a person, a body part, or a surface. The pattern 'slap someone across the face' is particularly common in narrative contexts. Less forceful than 'punch' (which uses a fist) or 'hit' (which is more general).
常見錯誤
2. to drop, place, or throw something onto a surface quickly and roughly, often bec
to drop, place, or throw something onto a surface quickly and roughly, often because you are annoyed, in a hurry, or do not care about being neat
Owen slapped his bag onto the chair and walked straight to the kitchen.
The chef slapped a piece of fish onto the grill without looking up.
Selim slapped his money on the counter and left the shop in anger.
Élise slapped a coat of paint on the wall just before the guests arrived.
Instead of a proper meal, they slapped some sandwiches together for lunch.
- place
to put something down gently and carefully
文法句型
slap + object + on/onto + surface
用法筆記
Informal and often implies carelessness or haste. The object is typically dropped or placed on a hard horizontal surface (table, counter, floor). The phrasal verbs 'slap on' (apply hastily) and 'slap together' (make quickly without care) derive from this sense.
常見錯誤
3. to hit or be hit against a surface, creating a noise like the sound of an open h
to hit or be hit against a surface, creating a noise like the sound of an open hand striking something
The wet flag slapped against the pole in the strong wind.
intransitive: slap against [surface]
Rainwater slapped against the kitchen window all night long.
Aoi watched the loose rope slap against the side of the boat.
Sivan let the wet netting slap into the water as she pulled it from the lake.
文法句型
slap against + surface
slap into + object
用法筆記
Can be used intransitively (something slaps against a surface) or transitively (someone slaps something against a surface). The subject of the intransitive use is usually something long and loose (rope, flag, hair) or a moving fluid (water, rain). Frequently found in descriptive writing.