slap in the face

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.

Example Sentences

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Schumer’s decision was a “slap in the face.”

From Slate

In a statement on X, Miki Zohar said: "There is no greater slap in the face of Israeli citizens than the embarrassing and detached annual Ophir Awards ceremony."

From BBC

"After paying into the system for so long, Universal Credit feels like a slap in the face," he added.

From BBC

“I just feel like they’re too good at their jobs for this error to occur,” said Hernandez, who said the news landed like a “slap in the face.”

From Los Angeles Times

Dr Mario Donadi, a friend of another victim killed in the Air India crash, described the initial findings a "huge slap in the face" on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

From BBC

Related Words

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