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Vocabulary : Idioms : Quizzes : Body 2 : a shot in the arm

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a shot in the arm Informal

Meaning: You can say something is a shot in the arm if it gives a person or an organisation renewed energy or enthusiasm.

For example:

  • Getting a grant from the Arts Council was a much-needed shot in the arm for the orchestra.

  • We all agree that the economy needs a shot in the arm, but we can't agree on exactly what it should be.

Origin: Related to the medical practice of injecting drugs into sick people. These injections are sometimes called "shots" and they are often administered into the arm.

Quick Quiz:

After a terrible start, the team was ready to quit. But after getting a shot in the arm from their coach's half-time team talk, they
  1. felt better about losing
  2. came back and won the game
  3. were even worse than before

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