Zapping

Zapping, primarily a colloquial term, describes the act of rapidly switching between different channels on a television or radio. It often implies a sense of impatience or a desire to quickly find something entertaining or informative. The term can also refer to the action of applying a sudden and forceful burst of energy, like electricity, to something. Furthermore, zapping can also be used metaphorically to describe the quick dismissal or removal of something, similar to erasure or deletion. The context greatly determines its specific meaning.

Zapping meaning with examples

• John spent the evening zapping through channels, desperately seeking a decent movie to watch. He scrolled past reality shows, old sitcoms and news programs until he finally found an old western. His remote control practically smoked from his non-stop button pushing. Eventually, he settled on something he would watch, but continued to zap every commercial break.
• The technician used a device to 'zap' the mosquito with an electrical current. The insects were buzzing relentlessly, and their bites were starting to become a nuisance. With a satisfying *zzt* sound, the pest was gone. He sighed in relief, finally able to relax in the summer heat.
• After years of dealing with the issue, the company decided to 'zap' the inefficient legacy system. The project had been dragging on for years with few results, and the executives decided to cut their losses and start from scratch. There was a collective sigh of relief from the team, as they looked forward to starting fresh.
• Sarah, in a moment of frustration, started zapping emails from her inbox that were unimportant or redundant. She had received hundreds over the weekend, and her inbox was quickly filling up, and becoming difficult to manage. Her goal was to get the number down, and to focus on what really mattered to her.