Shell shock
Meaning: Combat trauma; extreme shock or stress
WWI term for psychological trauma from combat, now called PTSD. In casual use, means being shocked or overwhelmed by an experience.
Examples
- She looked shell-shocked after the interview. 面试后她看起来一脸震惊Parecía en estado de shock después de la entrevista面接の後、彼女は呆然としていた면접 후에 그녀는 멍한 표정이었다.
- The team was shell-shocked by the defeat. 球队被这次失败打懵了El equipo estaba en estado de shock por la derrotaチームは敗北にショックを受けていた팀은 패배에 큰 충격을 받았다.
- I'm still a bit shell-shocked from the news. 那个消息让我到现在还有点懵Todavía estoy un poco en shock por la noticiaそのニュースにまだ少しショックを受けている그 소식에 아직 좀 충격을 받고 있다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: everyday, informal
Tone: descriptive, sympathetic
✓ Do Say
- Looking shell-shocked一脸震惊的样子Con cara de shock呆然としている충격을 받은 표정이야
- A bit shell-shocked有点懵Un poco en shock少しショックを受けている좀 충격을 받은 것 같아
✗ Don't Say
- Be sensitive when discussing actual PTSD讨论实际的PTSD时要注意敏感性Ser sensible al hablar de TEPT real実際のPTSDについて話すときは配慮すること실제 PTSD에 대해 이야기할 때는 배려가 필요
Common Mistakes
- Using too casually about actual trauma
Origin & History
WWI medical term for the psychological damage caused by exposure to artillery bombardment. Soldiers displayed tremors, nightmares, and inability to function. Now recognized as PTSD.
Etymology: WWI medical term: shell (artillery) + shock
First recorded: WWI, 1915
Cultural Context
Era: WWI onwards
Generation: All generations
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: WWI films; Birdsong; Regeneration
Regional notes: Universal English, WWI origin.
Variations
Related Phrases
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