a slap in the face
noun phrase
: a surprising act that offends or insults someone
Her decision to leave the company to work for our competitors was a slap in the face.
Examples of a slap in the face in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For The Washington Post As the days get shorter, the nights longer, and the air has grown so chilled that even the gentlest of breezes feels like a slap in the face, the city sparkles with twinkling lights everywhere.
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The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
The problem is, this was a slap in the face of survivors.
—CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
But six months on against Liverpool, Paqueta’s petulance is a slap in the face to everyone associated with West Ham.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
The sudden push to keep coal burning is a slap in the face to Colorado voters who have supported renewable energy, more affordable bills, and who are demanding cleaner air.
—Jamie Valdez, Denver Post, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a slap in the face
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The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
The problem is, this was a slap in the face of survivors.
—CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
But six months on against Liverpool, Paqueta’s petulance is a slap in the face to everyone associated with West Ham.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
The sudden push to keep coal burning is a slap in the face to Colorado voters who have supported renewable energy, more affordable bills, and who are demanding cleaner air.
—Jamie Valdez, Denver Post, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a slap in the face
Cite this Entry
“A slap in the face.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20slap%20in%20the%20face. Accessed 4 Jan. 2026.
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