Meaning & use
sledging
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Meanings
noununcountablesportinformal
The habit of insulting or teasing an opposing player, especially a batsman, in order to upset their concentration.
Grammar: No plural or article: sledging is part of the game, not a sledging.
Patterns
- accuse someone of sledging
- sledging by someone
The captain was warned for sledging during the match.
Some players think sledging is part of cricket, while others call it unsporting.
The umpire stepped in when the sledging became personal.
noununcountableBritish
The activity of riding down snowy slopes on a sled.
Grammar: Mainly British; American English uses sledding.
Patterns
- go sledging
The children went sledging on the hill after the first snowfall.
We spent the afternoon sledging until our gloves were soaked.
Common combinations
- verbal sledging
- The match was marked by verbal sledging from both sides.
- accused of sledging
- He was accused of sledging the batsman.
- ban sledging
- Some officials want to ban sledging from the game.
- go sledging
- We go sledging whenever it snows.
- sledging incident
- The sledging incident led to a fine.
Synonyms and how they differ
- heckling
- Heckling usually comes from spectators, while sledging is done by players on the field.
- trash talk
- Trash talk is the American term for similar boasting and insults across many sports, while sledging is tied to cricket.
- gamesmanship
- Gamesmanship covers any trick to gain an edge, including but not limited to words, so it is broader than sledging.
Word family
Commonly confused: sledging or sledding?
sledging vs sledding
Sledding is the usual American word for riding a sled. It is never used for insulting players.
Practice
In a cricket match, what does sledging mean?
Choose one answer.
Sledging is teasing or insulting opponents to disturb their concentration. Arguing with the umpire is dissent, a different offense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sledging”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.