slam

Everyday

1. To slam a door, window or lid is to shut it hard and loudly. tree →
2. To slam something down or into something is to put or push it with great force. tree →
3. To slam into something is to crash into it. tree →
4. To slam someone or something (informal) is to criticise them strongly. tree →
5. A slam is the loud noise of something shutting or hitting hard. tree →
6. A slam dunk in basketball is when a player jumps and pushes the ball down through the hoop. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and manners, slamming doors in anger is rude and can trap fingers, so close doors gently and check behind you. In stories, «she slammed the door» tells the reader the character is angry or upset. In news, «slammed» means criticised. In sport, a «grand slam» is winning all the major competitions in one season (tennis, rugby). Phrases: «slam the door», «slam on the brakes», «slam dunk», «grand slam», «slam shut».

Examples

• She slammed the door and stormed upstairs. tree →
• Don't slam the door; you'll wake the baby. tree →
• The wind slammed the gate shut. tree →
• The driver slammed on the brakes. tree →
• The car slammed into the fence. tree →
• He slammed his books down on the desk. tree →
• We heard the slam of a car door. tree →
• The player made a slam dunk. tree →
• ‘Go then!’ cried Tephany, and entering the house she slammed the door behind her. tree →

Note

Past and -ing double the m: slammed, slamming. A slammed door can crush fingers, so always check before closing doors. Do not confuse «slam» with «slum» (a very poor area of a city).