a stab of jealousy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stab of jealousy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and intense feeling of jealousy that someone experiences in a particular moment. Example: "When she saw her friend with a new car, she felt a stab of jealousy that she couldn't shake off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Jean-Pierre was struck by a stab of jealousy.

The Guardian - Books

Then I won't feel a stab of jealousy every time I pass a branch.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now he felt a stab of jealousy, but he knew that, the next day, Reuben would be gone and he would have his father to himself.

The New Yorker

I felt a stab of jealousy.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Slow night, you know?" I felt a stab of disappointment, jealousy, hate.

The New Yorker

The numbers are shocking, and not good to hear – you can't stop that stab of jealousy in your gut – but it's always the casualness of City traders that really takes me aback.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For the briefest of moments while playing with the Gear, I felt a pang of jealousy.

TechCrunch

Have you felt a twinge of jealousy?

Los Angeles Times

She felt a stab of sadness.

The New York Times

She feels believable: the stabs of jealousy she has when Antony marries someone else; the way she worries about her powers waning, and what will happen to her country and to her after she's gone.

The Guardian

I felt a searing twinge of jealousy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a stab of jealousy" to vividly describe a sudden, sharp, and intense feeling of jealousy in a narrative or descriptive context. This phrase adds emotional depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a stab of jealousy" to describe mild or fleeting feelings; instead, opt for phrases like "a twinge of jealousy" or "a hint of jealousy" for more appropriate nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stab of jealousy" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "felt a stab of jealousy"). Ludwig AI examples show it describing a sudden, intense feeling. The noun "stab" acts metaphorically, highlighting the sharp and piercing nature of the emotion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a stab of jealousy" effectively conveys a sudden and intense experience of jealousy. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and contextual appropriateness, primarily within news and media sources. While less frequent than other expressions of jealousy, "a stab of jealousy" provides a vivid way to describe a sharp, piercing emotional reaction. Consider alternatives like "a pang of jealousy" or "a twinge of jealousy" to fine-tune the intensity of the sentiment. Remember to use this phrase when you need to show a particularly acute and immediate onset of jealous feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pang of envy

Substitutes "jealousy" with "envy" focusing on the desire for what another possesses; "pang" implies a sudden, sharp feeling.

a surge of jealousy

Employs "surge" to convey a sudden and powerful onset of jealous feeling.

a wave of jealousy

Replaces "stab" with "wave," suggesting a more overwhelming and encompassing feeling.

a flush of envy

Substitutes "jealousy" with "envy" and "stab" with "flush", describing a sudden, noticeable sensation of envy.

a twinge of jealousy

Uses "twinge" to indicate a milder, more fleeting sensation of jealousy.

a moment of jealousy

Indicates a brief period experiencing jealousy, downplaying the intensity.

a feeling of resentment

Replaces "jealousy" with "resentment," highlighting the bitterness and indignation associated with the feeling.

a touch of envy

Replaces "jealousy" with "envy" and softens the impact, implying a slight or mild form of envy.

a hint of jealousy

Uses "hint" suggesting a subtle or barely perceptible feeling of jealousy.

a spark of jealousy

Employs "spark" to denote a nascent or initial feeling of jealousy.

FAQs

How can I use "a stab of jealousy" in a sentence?

You can use "a stab of jealousy" to describe a sudden and intense feeling of jealousy. For example, "Seeing her ex with someone new gave her "a stab of jealousy"."

What's a similar phrase to "a stab of jealousy"?

Similar phrases include "a pang of jealousy", "a twinge of jealousy", or "a wave of jealousy", each conveying varying degrees of intensity.

Is it correct to say "a stab of envy" instead of "a stab of jealousy"?

While related, "jealousy" and "envy" have distinct meanings. "Jealousy" involves fear of losing something you have, whereas "envy" is the desire for something someone else has. Therefore, the appropriateness of "a stab of envy" depends on the specific context.

What feeling does "a stab of jealousy" convey?

"A stab of jealousy" conveys a sudden, sharp, and often painful feeling of jealousy. The word "stab" emphasizes the intensity and abruptness of the emotion.