/ slɪŋ; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb ( slung , slung / slʌŋ; NAmE /) [usually + adv. / prep. ]
1.
( informal , especially BrE ) to throw sth somewhere in a careless way
SYN chuck :
[ vn ]
Don't just sling your clothes on the floor.
[ vnn ]
Sling me an apple, will you?
—see also mud-slinging
2.
[ vn ] [ often passive ] to put sth somewhere where it hangs loosely :
Her bag was slung over her shoulder.
We slung a hammock between two trees.
3.
[ vn ] [ often passive ] ( informal ) to put sb somewhere by force; to make sb leave somewhere :
They were slung out of the club for fighting.
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IDIOMS
- sling your hook
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PHRASAL VERBS
- sling off at sb
■ noun
1.
a band of cloth that is tied around a person's neck and used to support a broken or injured arm :
He had his arm in a sling .
2.
a device consisting of a band, ropes, etc. for holding and lifting heavy objects :
The engine was lifted in a sling of steel rope.
3.
a device like a bag for carrying a baby on your back or in front of you
4.
(in the past) a simple weapon made from a band of leather, etc., used for throwing stones
SYN catapult
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : probably from Low German , of symbolic origin; compare with German Schlinge noose, snare. Sense 1 of the verb is from Old Norse slyngva .