stab
gb/stˈæb/ us/stˈæb/
B1
Inglés
~ 8700
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
B1
action
1
push a knife or sharp object in
To push a knife or other sharp thing quickly into a person or thing.
Patrón de uso:
to stab [someone/something] (with [something])
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
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'.)
Antónimos
protect (Focuses on keeping someone safe from physical harm, the opposite of attacking them.)
Colocaciones
stab someone
|stab to death
|stab in the chest
|stab with a knife
|stab repeatedly
|stab the victim
Temas
crime
|violence
|health
|body
|law
Ejemplos
- The attacker tried to stab the guard with a broken bottle.
- She accidentally stabbed her finger while cutting vegetables.
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The man stabbed the other man with a knife.
- She stabbed the meat with a fork.
- 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.
Sustantivo
B1
event
2
single act of stabbing
One quick action of pushing a knife or other sharp thing into a person or thing.
Patrón de uso:
a stab to [body part]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes say *'a stab wound injury'* which is redundant. Use either *'a stab wound'* or *'a stab injury'*, not both together.
Sinónimos
stabbing (Very close in meaning; 'stabbing' is often used for the whole event, while 'stab' usually refers to one action.)
Antónimos
defensive move (Describes an action meant to block or protect rather than attack.)
Colocaciones
a stab wound
|multiple stabs
|one stab to the chest
|fatal stab
|a single stab
|stab injuries
Temas
crime
|violence
|health
|body
|law
Ejemplos
- The victim died from a single stab to the heart.
- Doctors counted three deep stabs to his back.
- 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'.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He had one stab to the leg.
- The doctor cleaned the stab on her arm.
- 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.
Sustantivo
B2
event
3
sudden sharp pain or feeling
A quick, strong, sharp pain or feeling that comes suddenly.
Patrón de uso:
a stab of [pain/emotion]
Error frecuente:
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'*.
Sinónimos
twinge (Often slightly milder; can sound a bit softer or more neutral than 'stab', which suggests a sharper sensation.)
Antónimos
relief (Describes the feeling when pain or negative emotion goes away, the opposite of a sudden sharp feeling of it.)
Colocaciones
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
Temas
health
|emotions
|body
Ejemplos
- She felt a sharp stab of pain in her lower back.
- He experienced a sudden stab of fear as the lights went out.
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I felt a stab of pain in my head.
- She had a stab of fear when she heard the noise.
- 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.
Sustantivo
informal
B2
entity
4
informal attempt or try
A try at doing something, often when you are not sure you can do it.
Patrón de uso:
a stab at [doing something/something]
Error frecuente:
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'*.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
refusal (Shows not even trying, which contrasts with making an attempt.)
Colocaciones
have a stab at
|take a stab at
|first stab at
|another stab at
|a rough stab at
|a decent stab at
Temas
daily life
|work
|education
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- This is just my first stab at the design, so we can change a lot.
- He took a stab at writing a novel during his vacation.
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I want to have a stab at this game.
- This is my first stab at cooking Thai food.
- 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.
Verbo
informal
B2
action
5
make a rough guess or attempt
To try or guess something when you do not know much and are not very sure.
Patrón de uso:
to stab at [something/doing something]
Error frecuente:
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'*.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
know (To be sure of the answer, instead of making an uncertain attempt or guess.)
Colocaciones
stab at a guess
|stab at an answer
|stab at writing
|stab at a solution
|stab at the problem
Temas
daily life
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- If I had to stab at a number, I’d say around fifty.
- He stabbed at an explanation, but it didn’t really make sense.
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I will stab at an answer, but I am not sure.
- He stabbed at a guess and got it right.
- 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.
Verbo
C1
action
6
hurt someone emotionally like a stab
To hurt someone’s feelings suddenly and strongly.
Patrón de uso:
to stab [someone] (in the heart) (emotionally)
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
wound (Often used metaphorically for emotional pain; 'stab' suggests a faster, sharper hurt.)
Antónimos
comfort (Means to make someone feel better emotionally, the opposite of causing emotional pain.)
Colocaciones
stab at his heart
|stab her in the heart
|words that stab
|the memory stabbed him
|stabbed with regret
Temas
emotions
|relationships
Ejemplos
- Her comment about his father’s death really stabbed him.
- The look of disappointment on her face stabbed at his heart.
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Her words stabbed him in the heart.
- It stabbed me to see my friend cry.
- The sad story stabbed her with pain.
- The memory still stabs him today.
- His cold voice stabbed her feelings.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
stab
AFI
GB/stˈæb/
US/stˈæb/
Sílabas y acento
stab (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (stab)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: stab
- Plural: stabs
Verb
- Base: stab
- 3rd Person Singular: stabs
- Present Participle: stabbing
- Past: stabbed
Familia de palabras
Forms
stabs
noun
stabbing
verb
stabbed
verb
Related words
stabber
noun
backstab
verb
backstabber
noun
Aspectos destacados
- Irregular present participle: stabbing Verb
- Irregular past: stabbed Verb
Expresiones
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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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?