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slap1

Syllabification: (slap)
Pronunciation: /slap/
Translate slap | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of slap

verb (slaps, slapping, slapped)

[with object]
  • hit (someone or something) with the palm of one’s hand or a flat object:my sister slapped my face
  • [no object] hit against or into something with the sound of a slap:water slapped against the boat
  • (slap someone down) informal reprimand someone forcefully.
  • put or apply (something) somewhere quickly, carelessly, or forcefully:slap on a bit of makeup
  • (slap something on) informal impose a fine or other penalty on:the government had slapped an embargo on imports

noun

  • a blow with the palm of the hand or a flat object:he gave her a slap across her cheek
  • a sound made or as if made by a slap:she heard the slap of water against the harbor wall

adverb

informal
  • suddenly and directly, especially with great force:storming out of her room, she ran slap into Luke
  • exactly; right:we passed slap through the middle of an enemy armored unit

Phrases

slap in the face

an unexpected rejection or affront.

slap someone around

beat or hit someone repeatedly:The teachers knew to watch out to make sure none of the other kids got slapped around The people responsible need to be slapped around a little and forced to correct things

slap on the back

congratulations or commendations:they deserve a hearty slap on the back for their efforts

slap someone on the back

congratulate someone.

slap on the wrist

a mild reprimand or punishment.

Origin:

late Middle English (as a verb): probably imitative. The noun dates from the mid 17th century

slap in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of slap in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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