jab

An injection of medicine, especially one that protects you against a disease.

• I had my flu jab today.
• The nurse gave him a tetanus jab.
• Have you booked your booster jab?

Similar words: injection, shot

Common phrases: flu jab, booster jab, get a jab

A quick, sharp hit or push, especially with a fist or something pointed.

• He gave me a jab with his elbow.
• The boxer landed two quick jabs.
• A sharp jab in my shoulder made me turn around.

How to use it: a jab in something (She gave him a jab in the ribs.)

Similar words: poke, punch, prod

Common phrases: left jab, sharp jab, jab in something

To push something against or into someone or something quickly and roughly.

• He jabbed my arm.
• She jabbed at the button with her thumb.
• Don't jab me with that pencil.

How to use it: jab someone/something with something (She jabbed him with her elbow.); jab at someone/something (He jabbed at the screen with one finger.); jab something into something (She jabbed the stick into the ground.)

Similar words: poke, prod, thrust

Common phrases: jab someone, jab with something, jab at something, jab a finger