assail with
assail with
1. Literally, to attack someone with a weapon. A person's name or a pronoun can be used between "assail" and "with." The robber assailed her with a knife. I was assailed with a brick by the carjacker.
2. By extension, to overwhelm or irritate someone with something. A person's name or a pronoun can be used between "assail" and "with." Because finals are approaching, my students are constantly assailing me with questions. I'm always assailed with tasks from my boss.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
assail someone with something
1. Lit. to attack someone with something, such as a weapon. The crook assailed the officer with the officer's own club. The riot police were assailed with stones and bottles.
2. Fig. to pester or annoy someone with questions, requests, demands, etc. Don't assail me with all your complaints. She assailed herself with constant guilty rebukes.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- badger into
- not do (someone or oneself) any favors
- afflict
- afflict (one) with (someone or something)
- afflict with
- (Is) this taken?
- piece out
- ask back
- third person
- interpret for (someone)