shock
A strong and sudden feeling of surprise or upset.
A sudden and intense feeling of surprise, fear, or distress caused by an unexpected event.
A dangerous health problem when the body does not get enough blood to work well.
A serious medical condition in which the body does not get enough blood flow, leading to organ failure if untreated.
A hurt or jolt you get when electricity goes through your body.
A sudden physical jolt or injury caused by electricity passing through the body.
To make someone feel strong surprise or upset suddenly.
To cause someone to feel sudden intense surprise, fear, or disgust.
A sudden hit, movement, or change that causes damage or problems.
A sudden forceful impact or disturbance that causes a change or damage.
- Base: shock
- Plural: shock, shocks
- Base: shock
- 3rd Person Singular: shocks
- Present Participle: shocking
- Past: shocked
get a shock
1To suddenly feel strong surprise or fear
To suddenly feel very surprised, scared, or upset by something unexpected.
- I got a real shock when he appeared at my door.
- You’ll get a shock if you touch that wire!
in a state of shock
1Experiencing strong reaction to trauma/surprise
Feeling very surprised, scared, or upset because something bad happened suddenly.
- She was still in a state of shock after the accident.
- He remained in a state of shock for days after hearing the news.
shock absorber
1Device that softens impacts in vehicles or machines
A part of a car or machine that makes bumps feel softer and smoother.
- The car needs new shock absorbers to ride smoothly.
- Shock absorbers reduce damage to machinery.
shock therapy
1Treatment with sudden intense intervention (medical/economic)
A medical treatment using electricity on the brain, or fast changes in an economy to fix problems.
- Shock therapy is sometimes used for severe depression.
- The country underwent economic shock therapy in the 1990s.
culture shock
1confusion in a new culture
A feeling of surprise and confusion when you go to a place with very different customs.
- She experienced culture shock during her first trip abroad.
- Moving abroad gave her culture shock at first.
- Culture shock can happen when you move to a new country.
- He experienced culture shock when he started working overseas.