Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - sting

~1 v past tense and past participle stung, 1 if an insect or a plant stings you, it causes a sharp pain and that part of your body swells  (Henry was stung by a bee at the picnic.) 2 to hurt or to make something hurt with a sudden sharp pain for a short time  (The antiseptic might sting a little. | Chopping onions makes my eyes sting.) 3 T usually passive if a remark or criticism stings, it makes you feel upset and embarrassed  (Days later she was still stung by the accusations. | sting sb into (doing) sth)  (Her harsh words stung him into action. | stinging rebuke/sarcasm etc (=severe and strongly expressed criticism etc)) sting sb for sth informal 1 especially BrE to charge someone too much for something  (The garage stung him for -300.) 2 BrE to borrow money from someone  (Can I sting you for a fiver?) ~2 n 1 »INSECT/ANIMAL« BrE a sharp needle-like part of an animal or insect's body that can be pushed through the skin of a person or animal, often leaving poison; stinger AmE 2 »WOUND« a wound or mark made when an insect or plant stings you  (Rub ointment on to the wasp sting.) 3 »PAIN« a sharp pain in your eyes or skin, caused by being hit, smoke etc  (the sting of salt in a wound) 4 a sting in the tail an unexpected end to a story, suggestion etc, that makes the whole thing less pleasant for the person listening 5 take the sting out of to make something unpleasant easier to deal with  (She smiled to take the sting out of her words.) 6 »CRIME« AmE a) a situation in which criminals obtain a large amount of money by cheating someone; swindle2 b) a situation in which the police catch criminals by pretending to be involved in criminal activity themselves