stab

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to push at something quickly with your finger or a pointed object.

v. to thrust a finger or pointed object at something in a sudden, sharp motion. Often used with the preposition 'at'.

“She used her finger to stab at the buttons on the elevator.”

“He continued to stab at the touch screen in frustration, though the device had clearly frozen.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. an attempt to do something, especially if you are not sure you will succeed.

n. an informal attempt or try at a task or problem.

“I don't know the answer, but I'll take a stab at it anyway.”

“Even though she had never repaired a car before, she decided to take a stab at fixing the alternator herself.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a sudden, sharp feeling of physical or emotional pain.

n. a sudden, intense, and brief unpleasant sensation, either physical or psychological.

“She felt a sudden stab of jealousy when she saw his new car.”

“A sharp stab of pain in his knee forced him to stop running and sit on the grass.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Music Technical

n. a short, loud note or chord in a piece of music used for drama.

n. a single staccato chord or short musical phrase used to provide dramatic emphasis or rhythmic punctuation.

“The scary movie used a loud horn stab to frighten the audience.”

“The arrangement is characterized by aggressive brass stabs that punctuate the end of every lyrical phrase.”