[Vocabulary] slap (n.)

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maiabulela

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Dear all,

What is the menaing of "slap" in the following example?

A: WALT IS JUST REALLY TALENTED. IT'S A LITTLE SICKENING. HE NEEDS A SLAP. HE DOES.

The guy was talking about "Walt" who did the voice of "Rample" in Shrek Ever After.

Thanks.
 

SoothingDave

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Not a teacher.

A "slap" is a physical blow across the face, on the cheek. With the hand open, not closed in a fist.

It is most commonly used as a firm rejection of a behavior, be it a child doing something naughty, or a man trying to take sexual advantage of a woman.

The idea here is that this "Walt" needs to be brought back down to earth. That's another use of the slap, now that I think about it. The slap to bring someone back to his senses.
 

Atchan

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I want to clarify it more although SoothingDave clarified it.
Slat means "a quick hit with the flat part of the hand or other flat object".

For Example:
She gave her son a slap for behaving badly.
 

SoothingDave

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Yes, and it's usually intended as a rebuke of the present behavior and a reminder for the next time you think of doing the same thing again.
 

maiabulela

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Not a teacher.

A "slap" is a physical blow across the face, on the cheek. With the hand open, not closed in a fist.

It is most commonly used as a firm rejection of a behavior, be it a child doing something naughty, or a man trying to take sexual advantage of a woman.

The idea here is that this "Walt" needs to be brought back down to earth. That's another use of the slap, now that I think about it. The slap to bring someone back to his senses.

Thanks a lot for the last explantion "be brought back to his senses" So now we can say that "Walt is extraordinarily talented more than usual", right?

Thanks. :)
 

SoothingDave

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Thanks a lot for the last explantion "be brought back to his senses" So now we can say that "Walt is extraordinarily talented more than usual", right?

Thanks. :)

That's right.

And also he might be a little more convinced of how great he is.

So he needs a slap to restore him to his senses.
 

Raymott

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Note that "a slap on the back" can be a sign of friendship/mateship/buddyhood etc. between men. It's not an aggressive act.
It's also a signal of congratulations.
 
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