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slings and arrows
plural noun
: pointed often acerbic critical attacks
has suffered the slings and arrows of detractors—Roland Gelatt
Examples of slings and arrows in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Borderlands doesn’t just suffer from the usual slings and arrows of moving something stupendously successful in one medium to another, and praying that most of the beloved, vital elements don’t get lost in translation.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2024
There are ways to deal with life’s slings and arrows.
—David Holahan, Hartford Courant, 2 Feb. 2024
Those slings and arrows now include a campaign by Musk to chip away at Delaware’s special status in the corporate world.
—Rachel Lerman, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2024
Lopez’s forgiving nature can at least partially be attributed to having a partner who has also suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
—Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 13 Feb. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
from the phrase "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" in Shakespeare's Hamlet
First Known Use
1963, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of slings and arrows was
in 1963
Dictionary Entries Near slings and arrows
Cite this Entry
“Slings and arrows.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slings%20and%20arrows. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
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