thrash

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thrash / [unvoicedth]rash/ • v. [tr.] beat (a person or animal) repeatedly and violently with a stick or whip: she thrashed him across the head and shoulders | [as n.] (thrashing) what he needs is a good thrashing. ∎  hit (something) hard and repeatedly: the wind screeched and the mast thrashed the deck. ∎  [intr.] make a repeated crashing by or as if by hitting something: the surf thrashed and thundered. ∎  [intr.] move in a violent and convulsive way: he lay on the ground thrashing around in pain| [tr.] she thrashed her arms, attempting to swim. ∎  [intr.] (thrash around) struggle in a wild or desperate way to do something: two months of thrashing around on my own have produced nothing. ∎ inf. defeat (someone) heavily in a contest or match: I thrashed Pete at cards | [tr.] the Braves were thrashed 8–1 by the Mets. ∎  [intr.] move with brute determination or violent movements: I wrench the steering wheel back and thrash on up the hill. ∎ rare term for thresh (sense 1).• n. 1. [usu. in sing.] a violent or noisy movement, typically involving hitting something repeatedly: the thrash of the waves.2. (also thrash metal) a style of fast, loud, harsh-sounding rock music, combining elements of punk and heavy metal. ∎  a short, fast, loud piece or passage of rock music.PHRASAL VERBS: thrash something out discuss something thoroughly and honestly. ∎  produce a conclusion by such discussion.

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