float like a butterfly, sting like a bee

To combine graceful or agile movement with intense physical strength or power. Coined by famed US boxer Muhammad Ali. You've got real power behind your punch, but you're too slow and clumsy on your feet. You have to float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. A: "I think he should slim down—it would really make him more agile in the ring." B: "Sure. 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,' right?" Jack's a lumbering oaf who can't land a punch. I don't think "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" will ever apply to him.

sting

informal

1. noun An undercover operation by law enforcement to gain evidence of criminal activity. In actuality, they were corresponding with FBI agents, and the sting led to dozens of arrests.

2. verb To force (someone) to pay a large amount of money, especially when that sum is surprising or seems unfair. The mechanic stung me for nearly $800 for various repairs when all I wanted him to do was change the oil. I was stung for a huge tax bill because of the money I won last summer.

sting (one) for (something)

To force one to pay a large amount of money, especially when that sum is surprising or seems unfair. The mechanic stung me for nearly $800 for various repairs when all I wanted him to do was change the oil. I was stung for a huge tax bill because of the money I won last summer.

sting (one) to the quick

To deeply emotionally hurt or offend one. The comments stung me to the quick, but I remained composed and carried on with the lecture.

sting (one) with (something)

1. Literally, to pierce one with some very small, sharp-pointed instrument or organ, especially as found on plants, insects, and sea life. Jellyfish are able to sting people with tiny harpoon-like structures along their tentacles called cnidocytes. When a honeybee stings you with its stinger, the barbed point becomes lodged in your skin, causing continued pain for you but death for the bee.

2. To present one with some charge, fine, or fee, especially one that is surprising or seems unfair. All the mechanic did was swap out a replacement part, but he stung me with an $800 repair bill. Just be aware that the airline will sting you with a hidden 10% administrative fee on top of all the other costs for your trip.

sting in its tail

A problematic, disappointing, or negative ending to something, such as a story or announcement, that is otherwise upbeat and positive. The movie began as a sweet, romantic love story, so the tragic ending was an unexpected sting in its tail. The government's announcement about minimum wage increases came with the sting in its tail that tax rates would be increasing as well.

See also: sting, tail

sting in the tail

A problematic, disappointing, or negative ending to something, such as a story or announcement, that is otherwise upbeat and positive. The movie began as a sweet, romantic love story, so the tragic ending was an unexpected sting in the tail. The government's announcement about minimum wage increases came with the sting in its tail that tax rates would be increasing as well.

See also: sting, tail

sting like the devil

To sting very intensely. A: "Will you please let me clean your cut with some antiseptic?" B: "No way! That stuff stings like the devil." Whew, that stung like the devil! Why on earth did I try to swat that bee with my hand?

sting operation

An undercover operation by law enforcement to gain evidence of criminal activity. In actuality, they were corresponding with FBI agents, and the sting operation led to dozens of arrests.

take the sting out of (something)

To alleviate the pain or annoyance caused by something. Well, coming home to freshly baked cookies somewhat took the sting out of getting another parking ticket.

sting someone for something

Sl. to cheat someone of a particular amount; to make someone pay for something. That guy stung me for twenty bucks! Toby was stung for the lunch bill.

sting someone with something

to use something to sting someone. The bee stung me with its stinger. The wasp can sting you with its poisonous barb.

take the sting out of

Lessen the severity or unpleasantness of something, as in That senior citizen discount took the sting out of the airfares. [Mid-1800s]

a sting in the tail

BRITISH

COMMON If something such as a remark or a plan has a sting in the tail, it seems good at first but contains an unpleasant part at the end. Even the remark about Chomsky being `arguably the most important intellectual alive' had a sting in its tail. The sentence went on: `how can he write such nonsense about international affairs?' The increased tax rate was an unexpected sting in the tail in an otherwise acceptable Budget. Note: This is a reference to a scorpion, which is small and looks harmless, but has a poisonous sting in its tail.

See also: sting, tail

take the sting out of something

If something takes the sting out of an unpleasant situation, it makes it less unpleasant. His calmness surprised her and helped to take the sting out of her anger. One of the best ways to take the sting out of things is put a humorous angle on it.

See also: of, out, something, sting, take

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

sting in the tail

an unpleasant or problematic end to something.

1992 Ronald Wright Stolen Continents At last Hendrick came to the sting in the tail of his speech.

See also: sting, tail

a ˌsting in the ˈtail

(informal) an unpleasant feature that comes at the end of a story, an event, etc: Roald Dahl’s stories often have a sting in the tail; that’s why I like them.

See also: sting, tail

take the ˈsting out of something

(of a situation) take away the part that is unpleasant or dangerous: We can pay the electricity bill in monthly instalments if we want, which takes the sting out of it.

See also: of, out, something, sting, take

sting for

To charge someone some surprisingly large amount of money: The airline stung us for $100 to change our ticket.

sting

1. tv. to cheat or swindle someone; to overcharge someone. That street merchant stung me, but good.

2. n. a well-planned scheme to entrap criminals. The sting came off without a hitch.

3. tv. to entrap and arrest someone. “We’ve been stung!” they hollered.

sting someone for something

tv. to cheat someone of a particular amount; to make someone pay for something. That guy stung me for twenty bucks!

See also: for, someone, something, sting

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