stab

stab — noun

1. an event in which someone uses a pointed weapon like a knife to harm another per

1.名詞B1
釋義

an event in which someone uses a pointed weapon like a knife to harm another person, or the cut caused by such an attack

例句

Doctors worked quickly to close the deep stab wound in Salma's stomach.

collocation: stab wound

Police found a kitchen knife near the place where the stabbing happened.

同義詞
  • stabbing

    the noun stabbing refers more to the criminal incident than to the wound itself

  • puncture wound

    a medical term that does not specify the weapon; less violent in tone

文法句型

stab + wound/injury

stab + in + body part

用法筆記

Frequently found in crime reports and medical contexts. Compounds such as stab wound, stab injury, and stabbing incident are common. The body part usually follows the preposition to or in.

常見錯誤

❌He got a stab in the street.
✅He got stabbed in the street.
💡to describe the action, use the verb 'stab' rather than the noun 'stab'; the noun typically describes the wound itself.

2. a sudden, brief feeling — either physical or emotional — that comes and goes qui

2.名詞B2
釋義

a sudden, brief feeling — either physical or emotional — that comes and goes quickly, often painful or upsetting like a sensation of guilt or fear

例句

A sharp stab of pain shot through her ankle when she stepped off the kerb.

collocation: stab of pain

Talia felt a sudden stab of guilt for not inviting her cousin to the wedding.

collocation: stab of guilt

同義詞
  • pang

    more often emotional than physical; slightly more literary

  • twinge

    milder and shorter than a stab; can be physical or emotional

反義詞
  • relief

    the opposite of a painful sensation

文法句型

stab + of + pain/guilt/fear

用法筆記

Almost always followed by of plus an abstract noun that names the feeling (pain, guilt, fear, jealousy, regret). The determiner is typically a or a possessive (a stab of pain / her stab of guilt). This sense does not describe physical wounds — only sudden sensations.

常見錯誤

❌I felt a stab in my leg.' (if meaning a physical wound).
✅I felt a stab of pain in my leg.
💡for the sensation sense, always include the feeling after 'of'; for a physical wound, use noun sense 1 or the verb.

3. something that a person says or does with the aim of damaging another person's g

3.名詞C1
釋義

something that a person says or does with the aim of damaging another person's good name or social position

例句

Her comment during the meeting was a clear stab at her colleague's reputation.

collocation: stab at reputation

The editorial contained a thinly hidden stab at the mayor's honesty.

同義詞
  • dig

    less formal; a pointed remark that is often indirect

  • insult

    broader in meaning; can be any rude or offensive remark, not necessarily aimed at reputation

文法句型

stab + at + noun

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (a physical wound) and from the idiom 'have a stab at something' (meaning an attempt). This sense is always abstract — the weapon is a remark or action, not a knife. Often followed by at introducing the target.

常見錯誤

❌The article was a stab to the minister.
✅The article was a stab at the minister's reputation.
💡the preposition is at, not to, and the target is the person's standing, not the person directly.

stab — verb