a shock to the/someone's system
idiom
: something that has a sudden and usually unpleasant effect on someone
The cold weather was a shock to my system after being in the tropics.
For freshmen, college life can be a real shock to the system.
Examples of a shock to the/someone's system in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Is the sci-fi adventure a shock to the system for critics?
—
Tim Lammers, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
According to Macron, these rebukes and threats of noncooperation from the U.S. in the face of military danger felt like a shock to the system.
—Ailia Zehra, The Hill, 17 Feb. 2025
Defeat by second-tier Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup was a shock to the system, but Slot’s team selection that day was that of a manager with bigger priorities, including a Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United next month.
—Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Dalia is now aged nine and, up until 2021, had little experience of shelter life, which would have no doubt made the change a shock to the system.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a shock to the/someone's system
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Tim Lammers, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
According to Macron, these rebukes and threats of noncooperation from the U.S. in the face of military danger felt like a shock to the system.
—Ailia Zehra, The Hill, 17 Feb. 2025
Defeat by second-tier Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup was a shock to the system, but Slot’s team selection that day was that of a manager with bigger priorities, including a Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United next month.
—Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Dalia is now aged nine and, up until 2021, had little experience of shelter life, which would have no doubt made the change a shock to the system.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a shock to the/someone's system
Cite this Entry
“A shock to the/someone's system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20shock%20to%20the%2Fsomeone%27s%20system. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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