lash

lash — verb

1. to hit someone or something hard using sudden, strong force — for example, rain

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to hit someone or something hard using sudden, strong force — for example, rain battering a window, wind thrashing a surface, or someone making an animal move by using a whip.

Example

The storm lashed the coast with powerful waves all night.

passive: be lashed by wind/waves/rain

Hoa lashed the horse gently with the reins to get it moving.

Common collocations
  • lash + against
  • lash + at
  • lashed by + wind/rain/waves
  • lash + tail
Synonyms
  • whip

    specifically means to hit with a whip; lash is broader and can include rain, wind, or tails

  • beat

    more general for repeated hitting; lash implies a whipping motion

  • thrash

    implies more violent, uncontrolled hitting than lash

Antonyms
  • caress

    gentle touch vs. forceful strike

  • soothe

    calm vs. aggressively hit

Grammar Patterns

lash + object (person/animal/thing)

lash + preposition (at/against)

Usage Note

When used intransitively, it is usually followed by 'at' or 'against' (for wind, rain, waves). When transitive, the object is the target receiving the blow (person, animal, or surface). Distinguish from sense 2 (CRITICIZE SEVERELY), which uses the same verb but applies to words, not physical force.

Common Mistakes

The rain lashed on the window.
The rain lashed against the window.
The correct preposition is 'against', not 'on'.
He lashed the dog with a stick.' (sounds harsh — fine for literal meaning)
He lashed the horse with the reins.
'Lash' is acceptable for animals but use carefully; 'whip' can sound more brutal.

2. to attack someone or something with very harsh, angry words, often in a public o

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to attack someone or something with very harsh, angry words, often in a public or official setting — for example, a politician criticising a policy or a journalist condemning a decision.

Example

The newspaper column lashed the government for its slow response.

lash + for + reason: criticise because of something

Shirin lashed her colleague for taking credit on the group project.

Common collocations
  • lash + for + reason
  • lash + over + issue
  • lash out at + person/institution
Synonyms
  • blast

    stronger and more forceful than lash; often used in headlines

  • slam

    informal, very common in media; similar intensity to lash

  • criticize

    the neutral, everyday word; lash is more aggressive and emotional

Antonyms
  • praise

    express approval vs. express harsh disapproval

  • commend

    formal praise, opposite of formal criticism

Grammar Patterns

lash + object (person/institution/decision)

lash out at + object

Usage Note

Common in journalism and political commentary. The phrasal verb 'lash out' (followed by 'at') is more frequent in everyday spoken English. When you lash out, the criticism is sudden and emotionally charged, whereas 'lash' alone can describe a more deliberate public attack.

Common Mistakes

She lashed at him for being late.
She lashed him for being late.
When used transitively without 'out', 'lash' takes a direct object, not a preposition.
He lashed her with harsh words.' (grammatically correct but outdated)
He lashed her for arriving late.
Modern usage omits 'with harsh words'; the direct object already implies verbal criticism.

3. to fasten something firmly in position by wrapping ropes, chains, or straps arou

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to fasten something firmly in position by wrapping ropes, chains, or straps around it — for example, tying luggage to a roof rack or securing cargo on a ship.

Example

The sailors lashed the lifeboat to the deck before the storm.

lash + object + to + surface: secure something in place

Reuben lashed the camping gear together with strong nylon rope.

Common collocations
  • lash + to + surface
  • lash + together
  • lash + down
  • lash + in place
Synonyms
  • bind

    more general; lash implies tighter, more secure fastening

  • fasten

    neutral and broader; lash specifically means with rope or cord

  • secure

    emphasises safety; lash focuses on the method of tying

  • tie

    the everyday word; lash is stronger and more specialized

Antonyms
  • untie

    undo the fastening

  • loosen

    make less tight, opposite of lashing firmly

Grammar Patterns

lash + object + to + object

lash + object + together/down

Usage Note

Frequently used in passive constructions ('was lashed to'). Distinct from sense 1 (HIT WITH FORCE) — this sense involves binding, not striking. Common in nautical (ship cargo), outdoor (camping gear), and construction contexts. The object is usually something that might otherwise move or fall.

Common Mistakes

They lashed the boxes in the truck.
They lashed the boxes to the truck bed.
'Lash' needs a destination surface; the object must be tied to something fixed.
He lashed the rope around the pole.' (confusing with sense 1)
He lashed the banner to the pole with rope.
Include the object being fastened, not just the rope.
Phrasal verbs

lash out

phrasal verb

to suddenly attack someone verbally or physically in an uncontrolled outburst

When the reporter asked about the scandal, the CEO lashed out at everyone in the room.

Mira's little brother lashed out and kicked her when she took his toy away.

lash out on

phrasal verb

To spend a lot of money on something, often as a treat or reward.

Mia lashed out on a new laptop for her birthday.

After saving for months, Diego lashed out on a vacation.

lash — noun

Word family

  • lashes
    noun (plural)A2
  • lashing
    nounC1
  • lashing
    adjectiveC1
  • lashed
    verb (past tense)B2
  • eyelash
    nounA2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe striking with force, but they differ in how the blow is delivered and what emotion it carries. Lash suggests a whipping motion — something flexible (a whip, a tail, rain) striking with a snap or sharp impact. Whip is more specific: it always involves the object of that name or a similar instrument, and often implies deliberate punishment. Beat is the broadest term — it covers any repeated hitting, whether with fists, a stick, or a tool, and does not carry the 'flexible-striking-implement' meaning. Thrash is the most violent; it implies wild, uncontrolled hitting that causes serious damage. For example: 'The rain lashed the windows' (natural force hitting repeatedly) vs. 'The cruel man whipped the horse' (deliberate whip use) vs. 'The gang beat the victim badly' (any kind of hitting) vs. 'The shark thrashed its prey' (wild, violent motion).

lash ↗whip ↗beat ↗thrash

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • lash out at
  • lash together
  • lash down
  • under the lash
  • crack the lash

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'lash' comes from Middle English 'lasshe' or 'lashen', which appeared around the 1300s. Its origins are thought to trace back through Old French 'lachier' (to lace or fasten) and ultimately Latin 'laxare' (to loosen). This unusual path — from 'loosen' to 'fasten' — happened because one branch of meaning focused on the loose, whipping end of a rope or lace, while another focused on using that same rope for tying things together. The 'eyelash' meaning came later, based on the similarity between a lash of a whip and the flickering hair on the eyelid.