idiom · neutral
a shot in the arm
UK/ə ʃɒt ɪn ði ˈɑːm/US/ə ʃɑːt ɪn ði ˈɑːrm/a·SHOT·in·the·ARM
speakingtask2
something that boosts morale or improves a situation
Examples
“The new funding was a real shot in the arm for the charity.”
“Getting positive feedback was a much‑needed shot in the arm for the team.”
“Vaccination is a literal shot in the arm, but here it's used figuratively.”
Band 8 sentence
“The government's investment acted as a shot in the arm for the struggling healthcare sector.”
Collocations
- provide a shot in the arm
- a much‑needed shot in the arm
Common mistakes
a shot in the arm (used only for vaccines)→a shot in the arm
gave a shot of the arm→gave a shot in the arm
Say it for a higher band
5help→6boost→7+a shot in the arm
Synonyms
boost
encouragement
Easily confused
boost
“The grant gave the project a much‑needed boost.”
Related words
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In Health
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