a slap in the face
noun phrase
: a surprising act that offends or insults someone
Her decision to leave the company to work for our competitors was a slap in the face.
Examples of a slap in the face in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While Vera’s scholarship program at ASU was among many in the state to extend its deadline, Vera said the difficulties from the federal application still feel like a slap in the face.
—
The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024
To people who must still take precautions for health reasons, the fact that signs are still up, only to be ignored, can feel like a slap in the face.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 29 Feb. 2024
But Destinee Lynn is, with a gripping flow that hits like a slap in the face or a jab in the nose (depending on the sentiment), aided by succinct lyricism that goes straight for the throat — or the heart.
—Journal Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2024
General manager James Click declined a one-year contract—viewed as a slap in the face after winning the World Series—and walked away from the organization.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024
But that helping hand is being withdrawn, and parents are bracing for a slap in the face this Sept. 30.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2023
Seeing that the group receives such a low level of investment already, the suit was a slap in the face for many.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 26 Sep. 2023
Ahead of Biden’s trip to the G-20 summit, Brett Eagleson, whose father, Bruce, died in the World Trade Center attack, said the prospect of the president’s meeting with the Saudi crown prince was a slap in the face.
—Karishma Mehrotra, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2023
At this point, keeping him in the house would be a slap in the face to every person who has stood up for or tried to change the racist allegations that the show has experienced in the past.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2023
The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024
To people who must still take precautions for health reasons, the fact that signs are still up, only to be ignored, can feel like a slap in the face.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 29 Feb. 2024
But Destinee Lynn is, with a gripping flow that hits like a slap in the face or a jab in the nose (depending on the sentiment), aided by succinct lyricism that goes straight for the throat — or the heart.
—Journal Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2024
General manager James Click declined a one-year contract—viewed as a slap in the face after winning the World Series—and walked away from the organization.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024
But that helping hand is being withdrawn, and parents are bracing for a slap in the face this Sept. 30.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2023
Seeing that the group receives such a low level of investment already, the suit was a slap in the face for many.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 26 Sep. 2023
Ahead of Biden’s trip to the G-20 summit, Brett Eagleson, whose father, Bruce, died in the World Trade Center attack, said the prospect of the president’s meeting with the Saudi crown prince was a slap in the face.
—Karishma Mehrotra, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2023
At this point, keeping him in the house would be a slap in the face to every person who has stood up for or tried to change the racist allegations that the show has experienced in the past.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'a slap in the face.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near a slap in the face
Cite this Entry
“A slap in the face.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20slap%20in%20the%20face. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
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