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Glite Dictionary
to sting like a bee

to sting like a bee

3 7.7
To say something that hurts someone suddenly and sharply
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : herir como una abeja
  • Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

Examples

  • Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

    Waydowntown (2002)

  • I float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

    Stuck on You! (1982)

  • In the heated debate, her comments sting like a bee, leaving everyone in shock.

  • When he criticized her artwork, his words sting like a bee and hurt her feelings deeply.

  • The article sting like a bee, sharply criticizing the government for its inaction.

Synonyms

to bite
vsto sting like a bee
153 7.7

To reply angrily or sharply, often without warning

is more sudden and sharply painful in attack
to sting
vsto sting like a bee
26 3.3

To feel sharp emotional pain after someone says something hurtful

is the same idea but used as a vivid idiom rather than a single word
to scorch
vsto sting like a bee
15 7.3

To severely criticize someone or something

is more sudden and sharply painful in attack
to blister
vsto sting like a bee
9 8.1

To attack someone with very strong words

is more sudden and sharply painful in attack
to harsh on
vsto sting like a bee
  • Informal
7 5.8

Criticize someone in a very unkind way

is more sudden and sharply painful in attack
to tear into
vsto sting like a bee
  • Informal
4 7.4

To attack or criticize someone strongly

is more sudden and sharply painful in attack
to tear someone a new one
vsto sting like a bee
  • Offensive
3 9.8

To scold someone very harshly

is more sudden and sharply painful in attack
to tear (someone) a new one
vsto sting like a bee
  • Offensive
2 9.9

To scold someone angrily

is more sudden and sharply painful in attack
to nettle
vsto sting like a bee
2 6.8

To annoy or upset someone in a way that feels sharp

is stronger and more forceful, aiming to hurt rather than annoy
to rip someone's head off
vsto sting like a bee
  • Offensive
1 8.5

Shout at someone in a very angry way and threaten them

is more sudden and sharply painful in attack
to have a sting
vsto sting like a bee
1 7.1

To cause a sharp feeling of hurt that lasts for a while

is more immediate and physically vivid in its hurt
to cut to the quick
vsto sting like a bee
  • Literature
1 7.9

To hurt someone's feelings very deeply

is more about a sudden sharp attack rather than lasting emotional wound
to lace into
vsto sting like a bee
  • NSFW
8.5

Criticize or attack someone strongly

is more sudden and sharply painful in attack
to eat someone's head off
vsto sting like a bee
  • Informal
9.1

To speak angrily to someone and criticize them

is more sudden and sharply painful in attack
to vituperate
vsto sting like a bee
  • Offensive
9.9

To criticize someone angrily using harsh words

is more sudden and sharply painful in attack
to speak with venom
vsto sting like a bee
7.8

Say angry, cruel things about someone

is more sudden and sharply painful in attack
to hit like a lightning bolt
vsto sting like a bee
8.2

To feel sudden shock or surprise

is focused specifically on a sharp attack or criticism rather than shock

Antonyms

compliment
342 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

praise
161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Intense

to assault
126 4.7
to sting like a bee
  • Informal
3 7.7
to lash out
71 5.6
jab
16 3.0
poke
4 2.5

Surface Forms

sting like a bee infinitive

Morphology

sting + like + a + bee

The meaning is directly inferable from the parts: 'sting' (to inflict sharp pain) + 'like' (similar to) + 'bee' (an insect that stings), so the phrase conveys hurting or attacking sharply in a way analogous to a bee's sting. This simile construction is a transparent, cross‑linguistic image that a B1 learner who knows the constituent words is likely to understand without prior exposure.

Etymology

Sting like a bee comes from the image of a small bee giving a sudden, sharp sting. So, to 'sting like a bee' means 'to hurt or criticize someone suddenly and sharply'.