electric shock
C1Neutral to Technical
Definition
Meaning
A sudden discharge of electricity through a part of the body, causing pain, muscular contractions, and often trauma.
A sudden, startling, and often unpleasant experience, analogous to the physical sensation; also used in psychology and medicine to refer to electroconvulsive therapy.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term primarily denotes the physical event and its physiological effects. It can be used metaphorically for psychological surprise. Often collocates with verbs like 'get', 'receive', 'suffer', 'give', or 'administer'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK uses 'electric shock', US also uses 'electric shock' predominantly, though 'electrical shock' is occasionally found but considered less standard by style guides. Hyphenation in compound modifiers: UK 'electric-shock therapy', US often 'electroshock therapy' as a specific medical term.
Connotations
Similar in both. The metaphorical use ('it came as an electric shock') is equally common.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties; a core term in general and technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] receives/suffers an electric shock[subject] gets an electric shock from [object][subject] gave [recipient] an electric shockan electric shock from [source]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like an electric shock (for a sudden, startling effect)”
- “a bolt from the blue (metaphorically similar for surprise)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in health & safety contexts: 'All employees must be trained to avoid electric shock.'
Academic
Common in physics, engineering, and medical journals: 'The study measured the physiological response to a low-voltage electric shock.'
Everyday
Common: 'Don't touch that wire, you'll get an electric shock!' or metaphorically, 'The news came as an electric shock.'
Technical
Frequent in electrical engineering, medicine (ECT), and safety standards: 'The device is double-insulated to prevent electric shock.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The faulty appliance could easily electric-shock someone.
- He was electric-shocked while repairing the light.
American English
- The faulty appliance could shock someone.
- He was shocked while repairing the light.
adverb
British English
- The current passed through him shockingly fast.
American English
- The current passed through him with shocking speed.
adjective
British English
- The electric-shock hazard was clearly marked.
- They used electric-shock therapy.
American English
- The shock hazard was clearly marked.
- They used electroshock therapy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Water and electricity are dangerous. You can get an electric shock.
- The child got a small electric shock from the socket.
- Always switch off the power before you fix a plug to avoid an electric shock.
- The bad news gave her a real electric shock.
- The safety regulations are designed to prevent fatal electric shocks in the workplace.
- The sudden announcement sent an electric shock through the entire audience.
- Electroconvulsive therapy, formerly known as electric shock therapy, is still used for severe depression.
- The investigative report delivered an electric shock to the political establishment, triggering immediate reforms.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a plug (ELECTRIC) being suddenly yanked out (SHOCK). The combination creates a painful, surprising jolt.
Conceptual Metaphor
SURPRISE/PAIN IS A PHYSICAL JOLT; UNEXPECTED NEWS IS AN ELECTRIC SHOCK.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'электрический шок'. The standard term is 'удар током' for the physical event. The metaphorical use ('это было как удар током') is acceptable.
- Do not confuse 'electric shock' (event) with 'electrocution' (often fatal result).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He died from an electric shock.' (Better: '...from electrocution.')
- Incorrect article: 'He got electric shock.' (Correct: 'He got an electric shock.')
- Confusion with 'static shock' (minor, from friction).
Practice
Quiz
In a medical context, 'electric shock therapy' is more formally known as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An 'electric shock' is any instance of electricity passing through the body, which may or may not be fatal. 'Electrocution' specifically means death caused by electric shock.
While 'shock' is the standard verb ('The live wire shocked him'), the compound 'electric-shock' is rarely used as a verb and sounds non-standard. It's better to use 'give someone an electric shock' or 'electrocute' (for fatal cases).
Yes, it's a common metaphor for a sudden, startling, and often unpleasant surprise, e.g., 'The election result sent an electric shock through the markets.'
Almost always the indefinite article 'an' is required, as it refers to a countable instance: 'He received an electric shock.' You would only omit the article in non-countable, general contexts (e.g., 'the danger of electric shock'), which is more technical.