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
The fact that the Mets could have had Severino instead of Montas for a similar price tag is a slap in the face to the Mets faithful.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Landry said early release, which until now has been typically assumed when judges hand down sentences, is a slap in the face to crime victims.
—Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 10 Apr. 2025
The fact that the NFL is allowing this to go on is a slap in the face to its fans.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
The decision to close the only Social Security Hearing Office in the Hudson Valley is a slap in the face to thousands of my constituents who rely on these services.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a slap in the face
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Landry said early release, which until now has been typically assumed when judges hand down sentences, is a slap in the face to crime victims.
—Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 10 Apr. 2025
The fact that the NFL is allowing this to go on is a slap in the face to its fans.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
The decision to close the only Social Security Hearing Office in the Hudson Valley is a slap in the face to thousands of my constituents who rely on these services.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 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 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share