sting

1 verb past tense and past participle stung,

1 (I, T) if an insect or a plant stings you, it causes a sharp pain and that part of your body swells: Henry was stung by a bee at the picnic.

2 (I, T) to hurt or to make something hurt with a sudden sharp pain for a short time: The antiseptic might sting a little. | Chopping onions makes my eyes sting.

3 (transitive usually passive) if a remark or criticism stings, it makes you feel upset and embarrassed: Days later she was still stung by the accusations. | sting sb into (doing) sth: Her harsh words stung him into action. | stinging rebuke/sarcasm etc (=severe and strongly expressed criticism etc)

sting sb for sth informal

1 especially BrE to charge someone too much for something: The garage stung him for -300.

2 BrE to borrow money from someone: Can I sting you for a fiver?

2 noun

1 INSECT/ANIMAL (C) BrE a sharp needle-like part of an animal or insect's body that can be pushed through the skin of a person or animal, often leaving poison; stinger AmE

2 WOUND (C) a wound or mark made when an insect or plant stings you: Rub ointment on to the wasp sting.

3 PAIN (singular) a sharp pain in your eyes or skin, caused by being hit, smoke etc: the sting of salt in a wound

4 a sting in the tail an unexpected end to a story, suggestion etc, that makes the whole thing less pleasant for the person listening

5 take the sting out of to make something unpleasant easier to deal with: She smiled to take the sting out of her words.

6 CRIME (C) AmE

a) a situation in which criminals obtain a large amount of money by cheating someone; swindle 2

b) a situation in which the police catch criminals by pretending to be involved in criminal activity themselves