Phrase guide

slings and arrows

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌslɪŋz‿n̩ ˈæɹəʊz/
  • US: /ˌslɪŋz‿n̩ ˈæɹoʊz/ without the Mary–marry–merry merger
  • /ˌslɪŋz‿n̩ ˈɛ(ə)ɹoʊz/ US, Mary–marry–merry merger
  • US: Mmmm Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Hardships or adverse circumstances.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, plural, plural-only

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: misfortunes, setbacks

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Harsh criticism or personal attacks.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, plural, plural-only

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: barbs, broadsides

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Coined by the English playwright William Shakespeare (baptized 1564; died 1616) in his play Hamlet (written 1599–1601; first published 1604 in the second quarto), referring to fortune attacking a person, as if using slingshots and arrows: see the quotation.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: koettelemus — hardships or adverse circumstances — see also hardship