verb
zing
To criticize or tease with a sharp remark.
She zings her brother with a joke about his cooking.
Etymology
The sharp sound-word became a metaphor for a verbal strike. To zing someone is to deliver a remark that feels pointed or stinging.
More examples
- The columnist zinged the mayor for dodging another question.
- You always find a way to zing me about my haircut.
- They keep zinging each other with sarcastic comments.
Forms
zing · zings · zinged · zinging
zinger noun — A sharp, witty remark or retort.