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dunk on

B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To make someone look really foolish or stupid in front of other people, usually in an argument or competition.

Literal meaning: In basketball, to dunk over a defender is to score dramatically despite their presence — humiliating them.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To publicly humiliate or embarrass someone with a clever, decisive, or witty response, especially on social media.

"She completely dunked on him in the comments with one well-placed quote."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To defeat or outperform someone so decisively that it becomes humiliating for them.

"The rookie dunked on the veteran in every drill at training camp."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Originated in basketball (to dunk over a defender) and has spread widely into internet and social media culture. Very common in online discourse, particularly Twitter/X. More common among younger speakers. Chiefly American English but internationally understood in online contexts.

Commonly used with

opponent critics Twitter debate argument rivals

Forms

Base
dunk on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dunks on
he/she/it
Past simple
dunked on
yesterday
Past participle
dunked on
have + pp
-ing form
dunking on
continuous

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