jab

IPA/dʒæb/
KK[dʒˈæb]IPA/dʒæb/

jab — verb

  • jabpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • jabshe / she / it
  • jabbedpast simple
  • jabbing-ing form

1. to push a thin or pointed object quickly and with force into or towards someone

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to push a thin or pointed object quickly and with force into or towards someone or something, often causing pain or damage

例句

Diego jabbed the fork into the baked potato to see if it was soft.

jab + [thing] + into + [object]

Mei-Lin accidentally jabbed herself with a sewing needle while mending a shirt.

jab + [person] + with + [tool]

同義詞
  • poke

    less forceful — a poke can be gentle; a jab is always sudden and firm

  • stab

    more violent and implies a knife or blade; jab can be with any thin object

  • prod

    usually done with a finger or stick to get someone to move or react

文法句型

jab + [something] + into/at + [someone/something]

jab + at + [someone/something]

用法筆記

Often used with 'at' when the action is aimed but does not necessarily make contact, and with 'into' when the object actually enters the surface.

常見錯誤

❌He jabbed me with a pen at the meeting.' (unclear — 'jabbed' implies forceful poking, not a light tap)
✅He jabbed me in the arm with a pen to get my attention.
💡add a target body part and context for the force.

2. to deliver medicine or a vaccine using a syringe, usually to protect someone fro

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to deliver medicine or a vaccine using a syringe, usually to protect someone from illness or to treat a medical problem

例句

The nurse jabbed Sofia in the upper arm with the flu vaccine.

jab + [body part] + with + [vaccine]

All passengers on the ship were jabbed against yellow fever before departure.

passive: be + jabbed against + [disease]

同義詞
  • inject

    neutral, formal term for any needle-based delivery; 'jab' is more informal and common in everyday British speech

  • vaccinate

    specific to disease prevention; 'jab' can also mean giving non-vaccine medication

  • shot

    American English noun equivalent 'get a shot'; 'jab' is the British informal equivalent

文法句型

jab + [someone] + with + [needle/syringe]

get + jabbed

用法筆記

Primarily British English. In American English, 'get a shot' or 'get vaccinated' is more common. The passive construction 'be jabbed against [disease]' is widely used in UK public health contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I need to jab my son tomorrow at the clinic.' (too casual for a medical appointment)
✅My son needs to get jabbed against measles at the clinic tomorrow.
💡use the passive or 'get jabbed' structure for routine vaccinations.

3. to hit someone with a quick, straight punch using the front hand, especially in

3.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to hit someone with a quick, straight punch using the front hand, especially in boxing or martial arts

例句

The boxer jabbed his opponent twice on the nose before stepping back.

jab + [person] + on + [body part]

Kenji practised jabbing the heavy bag for thirty minutes every morning.

同義詞
  • punch

    general term for any strike with the fist; 'jab' is a specific type — straight, quick, and usually from the lead hand

  • strike

    broader term including kicks, elbows, and other impacts; 'jab' is limited to a straight fist punch

文法句型

jab + [someone] + in/on + [body part]

jab + at + [someone]

用法筆記

In boxing, a 'jab' is the most basic punch — thrown with the lead hand, fast and straight. It is used to measure distance, set up stronger punches, or keep the opponent away. This sense also extends to martial arts training.

常見錯誤

❌He jabbed his opponent with a big roundhouse punch.' (a roundhouse punch is not a jab)
✅He jabbed his opponent with a quick straight left hand.
💡a jab is always straight and fast, not a wide swing.

4. to use the foot to send a ball forward with a short, sharp movement, especially

4.動詞及物C1
釋義

to use the foot to send a ball forward with a short, sharp movement, especially in football or rugby

例句

Wei jabbed the football towards the corner flag to waste time.

jab + [ball] + towards + [direction]

The rugby player jabbed the ball forward with the tip of his boot.

同義詞
  • kick

    general term; 'jab' is more specific — short, sharp, and quick rather than a full-power swing of the leg

  • boot

    British informal; implies a stronger kick, often sending the ball a long way

文法句型

jab + [ball] + [direction]

用法筆記

This sense is primarily found in British sports commentary and informal football talk. It describes a short, sharp kick — not a long powerful strike. In American English, 'kick' or 'boot' is used instead.

jab — noun