stab
gb/stˈæb/ us/stˈæb/
B1
English
~ 8700
megszúr, beleszúr, leszúr, szúrás, szúrt seb, nyilallás, próbálkozás, megpróbálkozik, tesz egy próbát, tippel, szíven üt, megbánt
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to stab [someone/something] (with [something])
The attacker tried to stab the guard with a broken bottle.
A támadó megpróbálta megszúrni az őrt egy törött üveggel.
She accidentally stabbed her finger while cutting vegetables.
Zöldségvágás közben véletlenül megszúrta az ujját.
The suspect admitted he stabbed the man in the leg during the fight.
He stabbed the paper with a pen to make a small hole.
Witnesses say someone ran up and stabbed him in the back.
Learner examples
The man stabbed the other man with a knife.
A férfi késsel megszúrta a másik férfit.
She stabbed the meat with a fork.
Villával beleszúrt a húsba.
He stabbed his finger and it started to bleed.
The killer stabbed the victim in the chest.
Be careful not to stab yourself when you cut the bread.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *'stab to someone'* instead of *'stab someone'* or *'stab someone in the [body part]'*. Also, some confuse 'stab' with 'cut': 'stab' is a quick push in; 'cut' is usually a sliding movement along the surface.
Meaning
push a knife or sharp object in
Collocations
stab someone
|stab to death
|stab in the chest
|stab with a knife
|stab repeatedly
|stab the victim
Synonyms
knife (More specific; always refers to using a knife, while 'stab' can use any sharp object.)
|
pierce (More formal and general; not always violent and can be used for non-living things like 'pierce the skin'.)
Antonyms
protect (Focuses on keeping someone safe from physical harm, the opposite of attacking them.)
Themes
crime
|violence
|health
|body
|law
Definition
To push a knife or other sharp thing quickly into a person or thing.
To thrust a knife or other pointed object quickly into someone or something, often causing a wound.
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
a stab to [body part]
The victim died from a single stab to the heart.
Az áldozat egyetlen, szívet ért szúrásba halt bele.
Doctors counted three deep stabs to his back.
Az orvosok három mély szúrást számoltak össze a hátán.
The report says she survived several stabs to the abdomen.
There was a small stab to his shoulder but no major damage.
Police found a note describing the attack as 'one quick stab and run'.
Learner examples
He had one stab to the leg.
Egy szúrás érte a lábát.
The doctor cleaned the stab on her arm.
Az orvos kitisztította a karján lévő szúrt sebet.
The man died after a stab to the chest.
She showed the police the stab on her hand.
There were many stabs on the victim’s body.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *'a stab wound injury'* which is redundant. Use either *'a stab wound'* or *'a stab injury'*, not both together.
Meaning
single act of stabbing
Collocations
a stab wound
|multiple stabs
|one stab to the chest
|fatal stab
|a single stab
|stab injuries
Synonyms
stabbing (Very close in meaning; 'stabbing' is often used for the whole event, while 'stab' usually refers to one action.)
Antonyms
defensive move (Describes an action meant to block or protect rather than attack.)
Themes
crime
|violence
|health
|body
|law
Definition
One quick action of pushing a knife or other sharp thing into a person or thing.
A single act of thrusting a knife or other pointed object into someone or something.
NOUN
B2
3
nyilallás
B2
Usage pattern:
a stab of [pain/emotion]
She felt a sharp stab of pain in her lower back.
Éles fájdalom nyilallt a derekába.
He experienced a sudden stab of fear as the lights went out.
Hirtelen félelem hasított belé, amikor kialudtak a fények.
A stab of guilt hit him when he saw her crying.
Every time I breathe in deeply, I get a little stab in my chest.
Thinking of what he said still gives me a stab of anger.
Learner examples
I felt a stab of pain in my head.
Hirtelen fájdalom nyilallt a fejembe.
She had a stab of fear when she heard the noise.
Félelem hasított belé, amikor meghallotta a zajt.
He felt a stab of guilt after he lied.
There is a small stab in my side when I run.
The bad memory gave her a stab of sadness.
Common mistake:
Learners may say *'strong stab of pain'* which can sound redundant, as 'stab' already suggests a strong, sharp pain. More natural collocations are *'sharp stab of pain'* or simply *'a stab of pain'*. Also avoid saying *'stab feeling'*; use *'stab of feeling'*.
Meaning
sudden sharp pain or feeling
Collocations
a stab of pain
|a stab of guilt
|a stab of fear
|a sharp stab in my side
|feel a stab of jealousy
|sudden stab of sadness
Synonyms
twinge (Often slightly milder; can sound a bit softer or more neutral than 'stab', which suggests a sharper sensation.)
Antonyms
relief (Describes the feeling when pain or negative emotion goes away, the opposite of a sudden sharp feeling of it.)
Themes
health
|emotions
|body
Definition
A quick, strong, sharp pain or feeling that comes suddenly.
A sudden, brief, and sharp sensation of physical pain or strong emotion.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
4
próbálkozás
B1
Usage pattern:
a stab at [doing something/something]
This is just my first stab at the design, so we can change a lot.
Ez még csak az első próbálkozásom a tervvel, úgyhogy sok mindenen változtathatunk.
He took a stab at writing a novel during his vacation.
A szabadsága alatt megpróbálkozott egy regény megírásával.
We had one stab at solving the problem before the deadline.
Her second stab at the exam went much better than the first.
The team made a decent stab at fixing the issue before launch.
Learner examples
I want to have a stab at this game.
Szeretnék megpróbálkozni ezzel a játékkal.
This is my first stab at cooking Thai food.
Ez az első próbálkozásom thai ételek készítésével.
He took a stab at the question but was wrong.
Let me have another stab at the test.
She made a good stab at the project.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *'do a stab at'* instead of *'have a stab at'* or *'take a stab at'*. The verb normally used with this noun is *'have'* or *'take'*.
Meaning
informal attempt or try
Collocations
have a stab at
|take a stab at
|first stab at
|another stab at
|a rough stab at
|a decent stab at
Synonyms
attempt (More formal and neutral; 'stab' is more informal and often suggests guessing or not being very sure.)
|
try (The most common everyday word; 'stab' adds a feeling of risk or low confidence.)
Antonyms
refusal (Shows not even trying, which contrasts with making an attempt.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A try at doing something, often when you are not sure you can do it.
An attempt to do or achieve something, especially when success is uncertain.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
to stab at [something/doing something]
If I had to stab at a number, I’d say around fifty.
Ha tippelnem kellene egy számra, azt mondanám, hogy körülbelül ötven.
He stabbed at an explanation, but it didn’t really make sense.
Megpróbálkozott egy magyarázattal, de annak nem igazán volt értelme.
The writer stabbed at a first draft over the weekend.
I can stab at an answer, but I’m not confident.
She stabbed at a solution, hoping it might work.
Learner examples
I will stab at an answer, but I am not sure.
Megpróbálkozom egy válasszal, de nem vagyok biztos benne.
He stabbed at a guess and got it right.
Tippelt egyet, és eltalálta.
The student stabbed at a solution to the math problem.
She stabbed at writing a song last night.
We can stab at a plan and change it later.
Common mistake:
Learners may wrongly say *'stab on an answer'* or *'stab to an answer'*. The common pattern is *'stab at an answer'* or *'stab at a guess'*.
Meaning
make a rough guess or attempt
Collocations
stab at a guess
|stab at an answer
|stab at writing
|stab at a solution
|stab at the problem
Synonyms
guess (Focuses on not knowing the answer; 'stab' suggests a quick and not very careful try.)
|
attempt (More formal and neutral; 'stab at' is informal and suggests uncertainty.)
Antonyms
know (To be sure of the answer, instead of making an uncertain attempt or guess.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To try or guess something when you do not know much and are not very sure.
To try to do or guess something without being sure, often based on little information.
VERB
C1
6
Usage pattern:
to stab [someone] (in the heart) (emotionally)
Her comment about his father’s death really stabbed him.
Az apja halálával kapcsolatos megjegyzése nagyon szíven ütötte.
The look of disappointment on her face stabbed at his heart.
Az arcára kiült csalódottság szíven ütötte.
Hearing their old song stabbed her with sadness.
The memory of that day still stabs him from time to time.
It stabbed me to see him so alone on his birthday.
Learner examples
Her words stabbed him in the heart.
A szavai szíven ütötték.
It stabbed me to see my friend cry.
Szíven ütött, amikor láttam, hogy a barátom sír.
The sad story stabbed her with pain.
The memory still stabs him today.
His cold voice stabbed her feelings.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse this figurative sense in very neutral situations, where 'hurt' or 'upset' would be more natural. 'Stab' is best reserved for strong, sudden emotional pain.
Meaning
hurt someone emotionally like a stab
Collocations
stab at his heart
|stab her in the heart
|words that stab
|the memory stabbed him
|stabbed with regret
Synonyms
wound (Often used metaphorically for emotional pain; 'stab' suggests a faster, sharper hurt.)
Antonyms
comfort (Means to make someone feel better emotionally, the opposite of causing emotional pain.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
Definition
To hurt someone’s feelings suddenly and strongly.
To affect someone with a sudden, sharp feeling of emotional pain.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stab
IPA
GB/stˈæb/
US/stˈæb/
Syllables & stress
stab (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (stab)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: stab
- Plural: stabs
Verb
- Base: stab
- 3rd Person Singular: stabs
- Present Participle: stabbing
- Past: stabbed
Word family
Forms
stabs
noun
stabbing
verb
stabbed
verb
Related words
stabber
noun
backstab
verb
backstabber
noun
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: stabbing Verb
- Irregular past: stabbed Verb
Expressions
another stab at
1/ənˈʌðɚ stˈæb ˈæt/
fixed phrase
informal
try something again
One more try at doing something after you have already tried before.
Examples
- We should have another stab at the report tomorrow.
- He took another stab at the exam and finally passed.
- She wants another stab at negotiating a better price.
feel a stab of
1/fˈil ə stˈæb əv/
fixed phrase
experience sudden sharp pain or emotion
To suddenly feel a short, strong pain or emotion.
Examples
- She felt a stab of fear when the door opened.
- He felt a stab of jealousy as he watched them together.
- I felt a stab of pain in my knee when I stood up.
first stab at
1/fˈɚst stˈæb ˈæt/
fixed phrase
informal
first try at something
The first time you try to do something.
Examples
- This is just my first stab at the logo.
- Their first stab at the proposal was rejected.
- Let’s take a first stab at the schedule today.
have a stab at
1/hˈæv ə stˈæb ˈæt/
idiom
informal
try to do something
To try to do something, often when you are not sure you will succeed.
Examples
- I’ve never cooked sushi before, but I’ll have a stab at it.
- Why don’t you have a stab at answering the next question?
- She decided to have a stab at learning Spanish.
stab in the back
1/stˈæb ˈɪn ðə bˈæk/
idiom
act of betrayal by a trusted person
A secret and unfair action that hurts someone who trusted you.
Examples
- Leaving the team without warning felt like a stab in the back.
- Her criticism in front of the boss was a real stab in the back.
- He saw the leaked email as a stab in the back from his colleague.
stab in the dark
1/stˈæb ˈɪn ðə dˈɑɹk/
idiom
guess or attempt with little information
A guess or try when you have almost no information.
Examples
- My answer was just a stab in the dark.
- Choosing that restaurant was a stab in the dark, but it turned out great.
- Any forecast right now is basically a stab in the dark.
stab someone in the back
1/stˈæb sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɪn ðə bˈæk/
idiom
betray a person who trusts you
To harm or betray a person who trusted you, usually in a secret or unfair way.
Examples
- He felt she had stabbed him in the back by talking to the press.
- I thought I could trust him, but he stabbed me in the back.
- They stabbed their long-time partner in the back by canceling the deal.
take a stab at
1/tˈeɪk ə stˈæb ˈæt/
idiom
informal
make a rough attempt or guess
To try or guess something when you are not very sure.
Examples
- If I had to take a stab at his age, I’d say about forty.
- I’ll take a stab at fixing the printer, but I might break it.
- Can you take a stab at this translation for me?