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slap in the face
slap in the face
A set phrase used to describe words or actions that have offended or otherwise upset someone. It was a real slap in the face when she got promoted over me, especially after the amount of work I did on that last project.
slap in the face
an insult; an act that causes disappointment or discouragement. Losing the election was a slap in the face for the club president. Failing to get into a good college was a slap in the face to Tim after his years of study.
slap in the face
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.