shot in the arm

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English

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Pronunciation

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Noun

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shot in the arm (plural shots in the arm)

  1. An injection of a drug into the arm, whether for medical or recreational purposes.
  2. (by extension) A stimulus; a boost in energy, morale, or well-being.
    • 1944 May 1, “Canada at War: Net Profit”, in Time, retrieved 31 January 2017:
      By that agreement, President Roosevelt in 1941 gave Canada's war industry a shot in the arm.
    • 2011 December 30, Robert Booth, “London's Shard: a 'tower of power and riches' looking down on poverty”, in Guardian, UK, retrieved 31 January 2017:
      Renzo Piano's skyscraper, which will be Europe's tallest building, may provide a shot in the arm for London.
    • 2012 December 4, Annie Lowrey, “Republicans Balk at Short-Term Stimulus in Obama Plan”, in New York Times, retrieved 31 January 2017:
      The president claims the economy needs a shot in the arm now, but Republicans say the nation should not widen the deficit.
    • 2018 April 28, Dorian Lynskey, quoting James McGrory, “‘It’s not a done deal’: inside the battle to stop Brexit”, in The Guardian[1]:
      “You get a win and suddenly the crowd’s on your side again. It was a shot in the arm for two reasons. First, when we work together, we are stronger. Second, this isn’t a done deal.”