Definition

1. Noun:

   • A sharp blow delivered with the open hand: A slap is a quick, forceful hit made with the flat part of the hand.
   • A sharp, flat sound or impact: The word can also describe the sharp sound made by such a blow or a similar impact.

2. Verb:

   • To hit with the open hand or a flat object: To slap means to strike someone or something quickly and sharply with the palm of the hand or something flat.
   • To put or place something quickly and carelessly: It can also mean to put something down forcefully or without care.

3. Adverb:

   • Directly, exactly, or with a sudden impact: Used informally to mean "directly," "right," or "suddenly."

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • She gave him a sharp slap on the cheek.
  • The book hit the table with a loud slap.

• Verb:

  • He slapped the table in anger.
  • She slapped the money down on the counter.

• Adverb:

  • The car ran slap into the wall.
  • He fell slap in the middle of the puddle.

Advanced Usage

• "a slap in the face": A figurative expression meaning a humiliating insult, rebuff, or disappointment.

  • Not getting the promotion was a real slap in the face after all my hard work.

• "a slap on the wrist": A figurative expression meaning a very mild punishment or reprimand.

  • The fine was just a slap on the wrist for such a serious offense.

Variants and Related Words

• Slapstick (noun): A type of comedy involving exaggerated physical action and humor.

  • The movie was full of old-fashioned slapstick.

• Slapdash (adjective/adverb): Done too hurriedly and carelessly.

  • He did a slapdash job of painting the fence.

Synonyms

• Noun: Smack, whack, blow, cuff.
• Verb: Smack, whack, strike, spank.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Slap down: To reprimand, suppress, or reject someone or something sharply.

  • The boss slapped down the idea immediately.

• Slap on: To apply something carelessly or in large amounts.

  • He just slapped on some paint and called it finished.

• Slap together: To make or assemble something very quickly and carelessly.

  • We slapped together a quick presentation for the meeting.

Related Idioms

• Slap and tickle (British, informal): Playful sexual activity or flirtation.

  • They were having a bit of slap and tickle in the back seat.

• Slap happy: Dazed, silly, or giddy, often from being hit or from exhaustion.

  • After working for 20 hours, I was feeling completely slap happy.

Adverb

1. directly
   • he ran bang into the pole
   • ran slap into her

Noun

1. the act of smacking something; a blow delivered with an open hand
2. a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)

Verb

1. hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand
   • The impatient teacher slapped the student
   • a gunshot slapped him on the forehead