Definition

1. Noun:

   • A terrestrial mollusk: A small, soft-bodied animal, typically having no shell or a very small one, that moves slowly and leaves a slimy trail.
   • A heavy blow: A hard hit, especially with a closed fist.
   • A unit of mass: In physics, a unit of mass equal to approximately 14.59 kilograms, defined as the mass accelerated at 1 foot per second squared by a force of 1 pound.
   • A single shot or bullet: A solid projectile fired from a firearm.
   • A quantity of liquid: A single, large gulp or drink of something, especially alcohol.
   • A metal strip: A piece of type metal used for spacing in printing.
   • A lazy person: (Informal) A person who is idle or slow-moving.
   • A counterfeit coin: A fake metal disk used as money.

2. Verb:

   • To strike heavily: To hit someone or something very hard, especially with the fist.
   • To be idle: To be lazy or inactive; to stagnate.

Examples

• Noun:

  • I found a slug eating my lettuce in the garden. (referring to the mollusk)
  • He was knocked out by a powerful slug to the jaw. (referring to a punch)
  • He took a slug of whiskey straight from the bottle. (referring to a drink)

• Verb:

  • The boxer slugged his opponent in the ribs.
  • He just slugged around the house all weekend, doing nothing.

Advanced Usage

• "slug it out": To fight or compete fiercely until a winner is decided.
  • The two companies are slugging it out for market dominance.

Variants and Related Words

• Sluggish (adj): Slow-moving or inactive.
  • I feel very sluggish on Monday mornings.
• Slugger (n): A person who hits hard, especially in baseball or boxing.
• Slugfest (n): A fierce fight or contest with many heavy blows.

Synonyms

• Noun (mollusk): Snail (though snails have shells).
• Noun (blow): Punch, hit, smack.
• Verb (to hit): Punch, smash, wallop.
• Verb (to be idle): Laze, loaf, stagnate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Slug away (at something): To work persistently and hard at a difficult task.
  • She's been slugging away at her thesis for months.

Related Idioms

• A slug of [something]: A large mouthful or drink of a liquid.
  • He poured himself a slug of brandy to calm his nerves.

Noun

1. (boxing) a blow with the fist
   • I gave him a clout on his nose
2. any of various terrestrial gastropods having an elongated slimy body and no external shell
3. a strip of type metal used for spacing
4. an amount of an alcoholic drink (usually liquor) that is poured or gulped
   • he took a slug of hard liquor
5. an idle slothful person
6. a counterfeit coin
7. a unit of mass equal to the mass that accelerates at 1 foot/sec/sec when acted upon by a force of 1 pound; approximately 14.5939 kilograms
8. a projectile that is fired from a gun

Verb

1. be idle; exist in a changeless situation
   • The old man sat and stagnated on his porch
   • He slugged in bed all morning
2. strike heavily, especially with the fist or a bat
   • He slugged me so hard that I passed out