stab
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.
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.
A quick, strong, sharp pain or feeling that comes suddenly.
A sudden, brief, and sharp sensation of physical pain or strong emotion.
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.
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.
To hurt someone’s feelings suddenly and strongly.
To affect someone with a sudden, sharp feeling of emotional pain.
- Base: stab
- Plural: stabs
- Base: stab
- 3rd Person Singular: stabs
- Present Participle: stabbing
- Past: stabbed
- Irregular present participle: stabbing Verb
- Irregular past: stabbed Verb
another stab at
1try something again
One more try at doing something after you have already tried before.
- 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
1experience sudden sharp pain or emotion
To suddenly feel a short, strong pain or emotion.
- 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
1first try at something
The first time you try to do something.
- 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
1try to do something
To try to do something, often when you are not sure you will succeed.
- 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
1act of betrayal by a trusted person
A secret and unfair action that hurts someone who trusted you.
- 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
1guess or attempt with little information
A guess or try when you have almost no information.
- 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
1betray a person who trusts you
To harm or betray a person who trusted you, usually in a secret or unfair way.
- 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
1make a rough attempt or guess
To try or guess something when you are not very sure.
- 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?