barb

frecciata, battuta pungente

Breve commento fatto apposta per ferire qualcuno.

In inglese semplice: A short, deliberately hurtful comment about someone.

• Her barb hurt his feelings.
• The candidates exchanged barbs during the debate.
• He aimed another barb at his former boss.

Sinonimi: dig, insult, taunt

Espressioni comuni: trade a barb, verbal barb, sharp barb

uncino, ardiglione

Punta affilata rivolta all’indietro su un amo o un’arma, che ne rende difficile l’estrazione.

In inglese semplice: A sharp point facing backward on a hook or weapon that makes it hard to pull out.

• The hook has a sharp barb.
• A barb caught in his sleeve.
• Removing the barbs makes these hooks safer for fish.

Espressioni comuni: hook barb, arrow barb, sharp barb

munire di uncini

Mettere punte rivolte all’indietro su qualcosa perché si agganci o ferisca.

In inglese semplice: To put backward-facing sharp points on something so that it catches or hurts.

• They barb the hooks by hand.
• The maker barbed each arrow tip.
• Why would you barb this wire?

Espressioni comuni: barb a hook, barb an arrow, barb the wire