sling1

Pronunciation: /slɪŋ/

Translate sling | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of sling

noun

1a flexible strap or belt used in the form of a loop to support or raise a hanging weight:the horse had to be supported by a sling fixed to the roof
a bandage or soft strap looped round the neck to support an injured arm:she had her arm in a sling
a pouch or frame for carrying a baby, supported by a strap round the neck or shoulders: a baby sling
a short length of rope used to provide additional support for the body in abseiling or climbing.

2a simple weapon in the form of a strap or loop, used to hurl stones or other small missiles: 700 men armed only with slings

3Australian/NZ informal a bribe or gratuity.

verb (past and past participle slung /slʌŋ/)

1 [with object and adverbial of place] suspend or arrange (something), especially with a strap or straps, so that it hangs loosely in a particular position:a hammock was slung between two trees
carry (something, especially a garment) loosely and casually about one’s person:he had his jacket slung over one shoulder
hoist or transfer (something) with a sling:horse after horse was slung up from the barges

2 [with object and adverbial of direction] British informal casually throw or fling:sling a few things into your knapsack
hurl (a stone or other missile) from a sling or similar weapon: a boulder that was slung from a catapult
[no object] (sling off) Australian/NZ informal mock; make fun:I wasn’t slinging off at your religion

3 [no object] Australian/NZ informal pay a bribe or gratuity: they didn’t forget to sling when the backhanders came in

Phrases

put someone's (or have one's) ass in a sling: North American vulgar slang cause someone to be (or be) in trouble: I’m not letting some hotshot Lone Ranger type put my ass in a sling
sling beer: North American informal work as a bartender.
sling hash (or plates): North American informal serve food in a cafe or diner: I had to take orders, sling hash, wipe up, and fill the shakers
sling one's hook: see hook.
slings and arrows: used with reference to adverse factors or circumstances:the slings and arrows of outrageous critics
[with reference to Shakespeare's Hamlet iii. i. 58]

Derivatives

slinger

Origin:

Middle English: probably from Low German, of symbolic origin; compare with German Schlinge 'noose, snare'. ¹sense 2 of the verb is from Old Norse slyngva

sling in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of sling in the US English dictionary

Subscriber login

Library card login

Other

sling1

noun

verb (past and past participle slung /slʌŋ/)

Phrases

put someone's (or have one's) ass in a sling

sling beer

sling hash (or plates)

sling one's hook

slings and arrows

Derivatives

slinger

Origin:

sling in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for sling

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Word of the day

logomachy