shot in the arm, a

Idioms

A stimulus or booster, something vitalizing or encouraging, as in Getting a new concertmaster was a real shot in the arm for the orchestra. This colloquial expression alludes to a stimulant given by injection. [c. 1920]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

shot in the arm, a

It made getting a shot in the arm a really pleasant experience!

From Seattle Times ● May 16, 2021

He is getting a shot in the arm, a transfusion of hot red blood from a vitality more abundant and intense than his.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023