sting
B1Neutral, used in both informal and formal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To cause sharp, sudden pain (physical or emotional); the pain caused by a stinging animal or plant.
A secret police operation to catch criminals; a sharp, clever remark meant to hurt; financial loss or scam.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes sudden, sharp, often localized pain. Can be literal (physical) or metaphorical (emotional, financial). As a noun, also refers to the organ/act that causes the pain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use all meanings identically. 'Sting operation' is equally common in police/crime contexts.
Connotations
Identical connotations of pain, trickery, or sharpness.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] stings [Object] (The bee stung my arm).[Subject] stings (My eyes sting from the smoke).Sting [Object] into [Action] (The criticism stung him into replying).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take the sting out of (something)”
- “A sting in the tail”
- “Sting like a bee”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a financial loss or scam (e.g., 'the investment had a nasty sting').
Academic
Used metaphorically in social sciences for painful consequences or in biology for animal defence.
Everyday
Most common for insect bites, minor pains, and hurtful remarks.
Technical
In law enforcement: 'sting operation'. In botany/zoology: describing venomous structures.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The wasp might sting if you bother it.
- The antiseptic will sting a bit on the cut.
- Her harsh comment stung his pride.
American English
- A jellyfish can sting you badly.
- My eyes sting from the chlorine.
- The high price of gas stings.
adjective
British English
- The nettle has sting hairs.
- He made a sting remark.
American English
- The sting part of the bee is barbed.
- She gave him a sting look.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A bee can sting you.
- The soap got in my eye and it stings.
- I have a sting on my leg.
- The cold wind stung her cheeks.
- He felt the sting of her criticism.
- The police organised a sting to catch the thieves.
- The defeat stung, but it motivated the team to train harder.
- The article took the sting out of the scandal with its humour.
- The con artist's sting netted him thousands.
- The prosecutor's closing argument was designed to sting the defence into a rash reply.
- The film's finale has a real sting in the tail that reframes the entire narrative.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SINGing bee – it doesn't sing, it STINGS! The 'g' at the end is sharp, like the pain.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM/REJECTION IS A PHYSICAL INJURY (His words stung). DECEPTION IS A TRAP (The police set a sting).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'stink' (вонять). 'Sting' is жалить/укус (bee), укол (injection), афера (scam).
- Do not translate 'sting operation' literally as операция 'жало'. It's спецоперация/провокация.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect past tense: 'stinged' (correct: stung).
- Confusing noun/verb: 'I got a sting' (OK) vs. 'I got stinged' (Wrong).
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct past tense of 'sting'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's very common metaphorically. E.g., 'His betrayal stung deeply' or 'the sting of rejection'.
'Sting' typically involves a piercing organ (bee, nettle) injecting venom/irritant. 'Bite' involves teeth closing on something (mosquito, dog). A mosquito 'bites' but the sensation is often called a 'sting'.
Yes, 'sting operation' or just 'a sting' is standard for a covert operation to catch criminals in the act.
It's an idiom meaning to make an unpleasant situation less painful or severe. E.g., 'An apology would take the sting out of his criticism.'