smacking
/smæk/ (bre, ipa) · [smˈækɪŋ] /smæk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsmækɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [smˈækɪŋ] /ˈsmækɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [smˈækɪŋ] /ˈsma-kiŋ/ (ame, mw)
smacking — verb
- smackingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- smackings3rd person singular
- smackinging-ing form
- smackingedpast simple
1. to use your open hand to strike a child's bottom, hand, or leg as a penalty for
to use your open hand to strike a child's bottom, hand, or leg as a penalty for bad behaviour, rather than hitting with a fist or an object
Aunt Renata warned her nephew she would smack him if he threw his food again.
threat structure: smack + object + if [condition]
Bilal's mother believes that smacking a child only teaches them to be afraid of you.
Years ago, teachers would sometimes smack students across the palm with a wooden ruler.
When the toddler bit his playmate, Yan smacked his hand gently and said 'no'.
文法句型
smack + object (person)
smack + object + across/on/with [body part or instrument]
用法筆記
Frequently discussed in legal and parenting contexts. The object is typically a child, and the striking surface must be an open palm — not a fist, shoe, or other object.
常見錯誤
2. to push or throw something with enough force that it hits another surface or obj
to push or throw something with enough force that it hits another surface or object, usually making a short loud sound
Noa angrily smacked her tennis racket against the net after losing the match.
smack + object + against [surface]
A huge wave smacked the small fishing boat against the rocks during the storm.
The chef smacked a garlic clove with her knife to loosen the skin.
Bao watched his cat smack its toy mouse against the wall and chase after it.
Frustrated with the broken engine, Constanza smacked the dashboard with her fist.
文法句型
smack + object + against/into/on + surface
smack + object + with + instrument
用法筆記
The object is always a physical object (racket, ball, hand, etc.), never a person in this sense. The preposition against or into specifies the surface that receives the impact.
常見錯誤
smacking — noun
1. a form of punishment in which a child receives open-handed hits, typically on th
a form of punishment in which a child receives open-handed hits, typically on the bottom, from an adult
A neighbour called the police after hearing a loud smacking from the flat next door.
Twenty years ago, many parents saw smacking as a normal way to discipline a child.
see smacking as [something] — noun used as a practice
The debate over whether smacking should be banned in all homes continues today.
Research from child psychologists shows that regular smacking can harm a child's emotional development.
- spanking
more common in American English; specifically on the bottom
- corporal punishment
formal or legal term that covers any physical punishment, not just with an open hand
- hiding
British informal; can be more severe and may involve an object like a belt
- praise
giving positive feedback instead of physical punishment
用法筆記
Can be used as both a countable noun ('a smacking' = one event of being smacked) and an uncountable noun ('smacking is harmful' = the practice in general). The uncountable use is more common in debates and research.
常見錯誤
smacking — adjective
- smackingpositive
- more smackingcomparative
- most smackingsuperlative
1. moving or happening with noticeable energy, speed, and physical force
moving or happening with noticeable energy, speed, and physical force
The fishing boat cut through the waves at a smacking pace under full sail.
collocation: at a smacking pace
A smacking wind from the north filled the sails and pushed the ship forward quickly.
collocation: smacking wind
The marching band kept up a smacking rhythm as they passed through the town square.
Old photographs show the dancers moving at a smacking speed across the wooden floor.
用法筆記
This sense is quite literary and appears mostly in written descriptions of movement, weather, or music. It is rarely used in everyday conversation.