sticking plaster: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium (common in UK/Australian contexts, less frequent in US English)Informal (everyday use for physical object); Metaphorical use is more formal/written.
Quick answer
What does “sticking plaster” mean?
a small adhesive bandage for covering minor cuts or wounds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a small adhesive bandage for covering minor cuts or wounds.
figuratively, a temporary or inadequate solution to a problem.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK/Australian standard term for adhesive bandage. US equivalent is 'band-aid' (proprietary, now genericized) or 'adhesive bandage'.
Connotations
In UK, neutral for physical object. Metaphorical sense carries a slightly negative connotation of inadequacy in both regions.
Frequency
High frequency in UK/AU everyday speech. Low frequency in US except in international/business contexts or when using the metaphorical sense.
Grammar
How to Use “sticking plaster” in a Sentence
apply [sticking plaster] to [wound][solution] is merely a sticking plaster for [problem]put a sticking plaster on [issue]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sticking plaster” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He quickly plastered the cut.
American English
- She bandaged the scrape.
adverb
British English
- The policy only addressed the issue plaster-deep.
American English
- They managed the crisis in a band-aid fashion.
adjective
British English
- It was a plaster fix, nothing more.
American English
- It was a band-aid solution.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used critically for short-term financial fixes, e.g., 'The loan was just a sticking plaster for the company's cash flow issues.'
Academic
In policy/economic texts, describes temporary measures, e.g., 'Subsidies acted as a sticking plaster for the underlying market failure.'
Everyday
Literal use for minor injuries, e.g., 'Mum, I need a sticking plaster for my knee.'
Technical
Rare; specific medical terms like 'adhesive wound closure strip' are preferred.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sticking plaster”
- Using 'sticking plaster' in US contexts expecting to be understood literally (use 'band-aid').
- Confusing with 'plaster' for cast (UK: 'plaster cast').
- Using metaphor for positive solutions.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but primarily in its metaphorical sense. For the physical item, 'band-aid' or 'adhesive bandage' is standard. A US listener might briefly pause if you use it literally.
'Sticking plaster' is a small adhesive bandage. 'Plaster' on its own can mean that, but also the material for casts ('plaster cast') or wall covering ('plaster on the wall'). Context is key.
Rarely. It almost always carries a negative or dismissive connotation, implying the solution is temporary, insufficient, or hides the real problem.
"Stopgap," "temporary fix," "makeshift solution," or "quick fix" are good neutral-to-negative synonyms. "Band-aid solution" is the direct US equivalent metaphor.
a small adhesive bandage for covering minor cuts or wounds.
Sticking plaster is usually informal (everyday use for physical object); metaphorical use is more formal/written. in register.
Sticking plaster: in British English it is pronounced /ˌstɪk.ɪŋ ˈplɑː.stər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌstɪk.ɪŋ ˈplæs.tɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a sticking-plaster solution”
- “just a sticking plaster”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: It's a PLASTER that STICKs to your skin. A 'sticking' solution that doesn't last.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOLUTIONS ARE MEDICAL TREATMENTS (a temporary/superficial solution is a bandage).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'sticking plaster' the MOST common term for an adhesive bandage?