slap in the face

Idioms  

1. A sharp rebuke or rebuff, as in Being criticized in front of my staff was a real slap in the face, or We thought it quite a slap in the face when they returned our letter unopened. The figurative use of this term, which can also refer to a literal blow, dates from the late 1800s.

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Example Sentences

He said his father "finally agreed" to meet him but on the condition that Nicola was not present, which Brooklyn called a "slap in the face", adding that his family then refused to see him on a subsequent trip to Los Angeles.

From BBC

He said his father "finally agreed" to meet him but on the condition that his wife was not present, which he called a "slap in the face", adding that his family then refused to see him on a subsequent trip to Los Angeles.

From BBC

“A slap in the face,” Blanchard called it.

From Los Angeles Times

Senior defensive tackle Zxavian Harris called it a “slap in the face,” adding that Kiffin was “just trying to steal our shine. That’s all he’s been trying to do is steal our shine.”

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, they got a slap in the face.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abuse
• affront
• blasphemy
• contempt
• disgrace
• disrespect
• indignity
• invective
• libel
• outrage
• put-down
• scorn
• shame
• slander
• slap
• slight
• snub
• taunt