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slap in the face

Noun CEFR C2

Definitions

  1. Something unexpectedly said or done which causes shock or offense; an insult, rebuke, or rebuff.
    figuratively
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see slap, in, the, face. (This sense is a translation hub.)

Equivalents

17 more languages

Examples

“That Joan's ex-boyfriend turned up to the school dance⟳ with Mary was a slap in the face⟳ for Joan, and now the girls are no longer best friends.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
See all C2 English words →

See also

slap mark slap marker slap on the back slap on the wrist slap print slap shot

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