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Meaning & use

thrashing

noun, adjective·Advanced

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UK/ˈθræʃɪŋ/
US/ˈθræʃɪŋ/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A severe physical beating or punishment.

    Grammar: Often used with the verb 'give': give someone a thrashing.

    Patterns

    • give someone a thrashing
    • get a thrashing

    The bully threatened to give him a thrashing after school.

    In the old days, naughty children might get a thrashing from their parents.

    The gang gave the man a thrashing for not paying his debts.

  2. nouncountable

    A very heavy defeat in a game, competition, or election.

    Grammar: Common in sports and politics; often used with 'take' or 'suffer'.

    Patterns

    • take a thrashing
    • suffer a thrashing
    • a thrashing at the hands of someone

    The home team took a thrashing, losing 5-0.

    The candidate suffered a thrashing in the election, winning only 10% of the vote.

    After last week's thrashing, the coach changed the entire strategy.

  3. adjectivebefore a noun

    Moving violently from side to side; beating strongly.

    Grammar: Used before a noun, e.g. 'thrashing tail'.

    Patterns

    • thrashing tail
    • thrashing arms

    The fish's thrashing tail splashed water all over the boat.

    She woke up with a thrashing headache.

Word forms

pluralthrashings

Common combinations

give someone a thrashing
The older boy gave him a thrashing for stealing his lunch.
take a thrashing
The team took a thrashing in the final match.
suffer a thrashing
The politician suffered a thrashing at the polls.
a sound thrashing
The coach gave the players a sound thrashing after their poor performance.

Synonyms and how they differ

beating
A beating can be less severe and often refers to repeated hits; a thrashing is usually more violent and thorough.
drubbing
Drubbing is often used for a heavy defeat in sports, similar to thrashing, but is slightly more informal.
hiding
In British English, 'hiding' can mean a beating, but it also has other meanings; 'thrashing' is more specific.

Opposites

victorytriumph

Word family

thrash verb
To beat someone or something repeatedly, or to defeat heavily.
thrasher noun
A person or thing that thrashes, or a type of bird.

Commonly confused: thrashing or thrashing?

thrashing vs thrashing

Not to be confused with 'threshing', which means separating grain from husks.

Practice

The team suffered a heavy ______ in yesterday's match, losing 4-0.

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