taking a jab at

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking a jab at" is a commonly used expression in written English.
It means to subtly criticize or mock someone or something. Example: During the political debate, the candidates constantly took jabs at each other's policies and past actions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Lemon defended James and alluded to Be Best while taking a jab at the president Saturday.

The Washington Post

Taking a jab at Divac, he added: "He shouldn't have tipped it out there.

The New York Times - Sports

Even after the deal was done, Schäuble seemingly couldn't resist taking a jab at Varoufakis and his colleagues.

The New Yorker

He couldn't resist taking a jab at French cooking, which for generations was the only cuisine appropriate for state dinners.

The New York Times - Food

He's also taking a jab at the more boastful egotism of his early hit "The Real Slim Shady".

The New York Times - Arts

Later, Hardin tried to put another crack in McNamee's integrity by taking a jab at his contentious relationship with his former wife.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

He took a jab at the press.

The New York Times

Last night Riley praised his team and took a jab at his critics.

The New York Times - Sports

He also took a jab at the drug industry, calling it "out of control".

The New York Times

In her letter, Dr. Shalala took a jab at Mr. Bush and Republicans in Congress.

The New York Times

Still, when he takes a jab at "Eurocentricity," he loses his balance.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking a jab at" to subtly criticize or humorously tease someone, especially in informal or news-related contexts. Ensure the tone matches the situation; avoid using it when a direct, serious critique is necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "taking a jab at" in formal writing or professional settings where a more direct and respectful tone is expected. Opt for more neutral and constructive language to convey your critique.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a jab at" functions as a verb phrase, often used in journalistic and informal contexts. It indicates the action of subtly criticizing or mocking someone. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a common expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taking a jab at" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of subtly criticizing or mocking someone. Ludwig AI indicates it's a commonly used expression in written English. It typically appears in news and media, as well as sports contexts, and is considered to be of a neutral register, trending toward informal. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it's best reserved for situations where a direct critique isn't required or where a humorous tone is appropriate. For more formal or academic settings, alternatives such as "subtly criticizing" or "indirectly addressing" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making a dig at

Suggests a slightly more malicious intent than simply "taking a jab".

aiming a barb at

Implies a sharper, more pointed criticism than "taking a jab at".

needling

Suggests persistent, irritating criticism, often intended to provoke a reaction.

sniping at

Indicates a series of quick, critical attacks, often from a hidden position.

tweaking

Implies a light, playful form of criticism, less harsh than "taking a jab at".

casting aspersions on

Involves a more formal and often public attempt to damage someone's reputation.

ribbing

Indicates friendly teasing, milder and more affectionate than "taking a jab at".

mocking

Directly ridiculing or making fun of someone or something, more overt than "taking a jab at".

criticizing subtly

A more descriptive and less idiomatic way of expressing the same idea.

making a sarcastic remark about

Highlights the use of sarcasm in the criticism, a specific type of "taking a jab at".

FAQs

How can I use "taking a jab at" in a sentence?

"Taking a jab at" is used to describe subtly criticizing or mocking someone. For example, "The comedian was "making a dig at" the politician's policies during his routine.".

What's a more formal alternative to "taking a jab at"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "subtly criticizing", "indirectly addressing", or "alluding to" instead of "taking a jab at".

Is "taking a jab at" appropriate for academic writing?

Generally, no. "Taking a jab at" is too informal for academic writing. Use more neutral and direct language to express your critique or analysis.

What's the difference between "taking a jab at" and "aiming a barb at"?

"Taking a jab at" is usually a milder form of criticism, while "aiming a barb at" suggests a sharper, more intentional, and potentially hurtful remark.