lash

Related to lash: lush, flash

a lash of scorpions

1. A whipping implement made of scorpion tails—an ancient method of punishment. I was watching this old movie, and one character started beating another with a lash of scorpions! I couldn't believe the one guy was getting hit with scorpion tails—eek!
2. By extension, an extremely harsh punishment. If my parents find out that I borrowed their car last night without their permission, I am going to get a lash of scorpions!
See also: lash, of

by an eyelash

By an extremely short or slim margin (of distance, time, or another measure). They're just about to close the gates! It looks like we made the flight by an eyelash. The race was neck and neck till the very end, but Sally won it by an eyelash.
See also: by, eyelash

have a lash at (something)

To try something, often for the first time. Primarily heard in Australia, New Zealand. A: "Do you want to try driving my car, to see how you like it?" B: "Yeah, sure, I'll have a lash at it." I don't usually like hot tea, but it's so cold out that I had a lash at it today.
See also: have, lash

lash (someone, something, or oneself) to (something)

To tie or bind someone, something, or oneself to something. They lashed the prisoner to the chair to begin interrogating him for answers. We began lashing everything to the floor so nothing would break during the hurricane. The captain lashed himself to the wheel of the ship to make sure it stayed on course through the intense storm.
See also: lash

lash about

1. To writhe, flail, or fling around wildly, violently, or uncontrollably. One of the cables came loose in the wind and lashed about across the deck of the boat. The toddler started lashing about in the midst of his tantrum.
2. To swing or flail something around wildly, violently, or uncontrollably. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "lash" and "about." The lion tamer lashed his whip about to impress the audience. The wind lashed the flag about all night long, but it never came unfixed from the flagpole.
See also: lash

lash against

1. To beat, flail, or strike violently or wildly against someone or something. The waves lashed against the side of our boat during the storm.
2. To swing, whip, or flail something against someone or something. In this usage a noun or pronoun is used between "lash" and "against." The wind kept lashing the branches of the tree against my window.
See also: lash

lash around

1. To writhe, flail, or fling around wildly, violently, or uncontrollably. One of the cables came loose in the wind and lashed around across the deck of the boat. The toddler started lashing around in the midst of his tantrum.
2. To swing or flail something around wildly, violently, or uncontrollably. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "lash" and "around." The lion tamer lashed his whip around to impress the audience. The wind lashed the flag around all night long, but it never came unfixed from the flagpole.
See also: around, lash

lash at (someone or something)

1. To beat, flail, or strike someone or something violently or wildly. The wind lashed at our windows so hard that I thought they might actually break at one point. The warden lashed at the prisoners with a whip for failing to move quickly enough.
2. To criticize, rebuke, or react to someone or something with sudden, intense anger. Often worded as "lash out at (someone or something)." The boss lashed at the intern for mixing up the documents for the year-end audit. The senator lashed out at reporters for continuing to question his role in the controversy.
See also: lash

lash back (at someone or something)

To retaliate against someone or something with an intense physical or verbal attack. The protesters lashed back at the police with a volley of bricks and rocks. The senator lashed back at critics of his tax-reform proposal during a press conference this afternoon.
See also: back, lash, someone

lash down

1. Of rain, to fall very heavily. It's been lashing down for the last hour or so. It's dry at the moment, but with how dark those clouds are it looks like it could lash down at any moment.
2. To tie or strap someone or something down very tightly. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "lash" and "down." Make sure to lash that timber down before we start driving, or else it will all spill out onto the road. They lashed the prisoner down to the table and began torturing him to extract information.
See also: down, lash

lash down on (someone or something)

Of rain, to fall very heavily on someone or something. I love the sound of rain lashing down on the roof of the house at night. It's dry at the moment, but those dark clouds look like they could lash down on us at any moment.
See also: down, lash, on

lash into (someone or something)

1. To attack someone or something, either physically or verbally, with intense and sudden anger or aggression. The boss lashed into the intern for mixing up the documents for the year-end audit. The farmer lashed into the mule with his whip.
2. To begin eating something very hastily, greedily, or voraciously. The boss lashed into the intern for mixing up the documents for the year-end audit. The farmer lashed into the mule with his whip.
See also: lash

lash out

1. To physically swing or strike out at someone or something, usually unexpectedly. That ornery old cat will lash out at you if you get too close.
2. To react with sudden, intense anger. Hey, don't lash out at me, I'm just the messenger! I couldn't help but lash out when I heard about the latest printing mishap.
See also: lash, out

lash out against (someone or something)

1. To strike or attempt to strike at someone or something very quickly or unexpectedly. That ornery old cat will lash out against you if you get too close.
2. To react against someone or something with sudden, intense anger. I couldn't help but lash out against Bill when he informed me of the latest printing mishap. Citizens are lashing out against the government's recent piece of legislation.
See also: lash, out

lash out at (someone or something)

1. To strike or attempt to strike at someone or something very quickly or unexpectedly. That ornery old cat will lash out at you if you get too close.
2. To react against someone or something with sudden, intense anger. Hey, don't lash out at me, I'm just the messenger! I couldn't help but lash out at Bill when he informed me of the latest printing mishap.
See also: lash, out

lash together

1. To tie or bind two people or things together. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lash" and "together." The criminals began lashing hostages together so no one would be out of their sight. Make sure to lash these wooden beams together so they don't roll around the truck while we're driving.
2. To assemble or create something very hastily or carelessly; to cobble something together. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lash" and "together." I had completely forgotten about the presentation I had to give, so I just lashed together some sales charts and reports generated by computer. You can tell that he lashed the essay together at the last second.
See also: lash, together

lash up

1. To secure or bind something (to something else), especially at a higher level. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lash" and "up." I had to use a bungee cable to lash my bike up to the railing outside my office. We lashed up a sign telling everyone about the new rules.
2. To construct something very hastily, haphazardly, or shoddily. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lash" and "up." We'll have to lash up a rudimentary fence to keep the cattle in until we get the material in for a proper one. You can tell they lashed these houses up as quickly and as cheaply as possible.
See also: lash, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

lash against something

[for something, such as wind or water] to beat or whip heavily against something. The angry waves lashed against the hull of the boat, frightening the people huddled inside. The wind lashed against the house and kept us awake all night.
See also: lash

lash at someone or something

to thrash or beat someone or something violently. The rain lashed at the windows. The mule driver lashed at his beasts with his whip.
See also: lash

lash back (at someone or something)

to strike or fight back against someone or something—physically or verbally. Randy lashed back at his attackers and drove them away. If you threaten Fred, he'll lash back.
See also: back, lash

lash down on someone or something

[for rain] to beat down on someone or something. The wind and rain lashed down on us. The rain lashed down on the young plants and pounded them into the soil.
See also: down, lash, on

lash into (someone or an animal)

to attack someone or an animal—physically or verbally. Dad lashed into my brother, who had smashed up the car again. Walter lashed into the cat for tearing the upholstery.
See also: lash

lash into something

to begin to eat something with vigor. Mary lashed into the huge ice cream sundae, and ate almost the whole thing. The workers lashed into their lunches and did not say a word until they had finished.
See also: lash

lash out (at someone or something)

 and lash out (against someone or something)
to strike out in defense or attack—physically or verbally. Amy was angry with Ed and lashed out at him just to show who was boss. She was so angry with him that she just lashed out against him. Gretchen was fed up with the cat and lashed out savagely in her anger.
See also: lash, out

lash someone or something down

to tie someone or something down. The villain lashed Nell down to the railroad tracks. He lashed down the innocent victim. Lash that cask down so it doesn't wash overboard.
See also: down, lash

lash someone or something to something

to tie someone or something to something. The boys lashed one of their number to a tree and danced around him like savages. Abe lashed the cask to the deck. Frank lashed himself to the mast.
See also: lash

lash something about

to whip or fling something about violently. The big cat lashed its tail threateningly. The strong wind lashed the tall grass about.
See also: lash

lash something together

to tie something or things together. Let's lash these logs together and make a raft. Lash two or three of the poles together to make them stronger.
See also: lash, together
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

lash out

Make a sudden blow or fierce verbal attack. For example, The mule lashed out with its hind legs, or After listening to Dad's criticism of his driving, Arthur lashed out at him. [Second half of 1500s]
See also: lash, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

have a lash at something

AUSTRALIAN, INFORMAL
If you have a lash at something, you attempt to do it. He had been climbing for years and decided to have a lash at Everest.
See also: have, lash, something
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

by an eyelash

by a very small margin.
See also: by, eyelash

have a lash at

make an attempt at; have a go at. Australian & New Zealand
See also: have, lash
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

lash out

v.
1. To aim a sudden blow; strike: The horse lashed out with its hind legs.
2. To make a scathing verbal or written attack on someone or something: The mayor lashed out at her critics during the interview. The defendant lashed out when asked about his arrest record.
See also: lash, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • a lash of scorpions
  • come up tails
  • whipping
  • once too often
  • hanged for a sheep (as well) as a lamb, (might) as well be
  • get off with (something)
  • have (one's) tail up
  • put (one's) tail up
  • a whipping boy
  • whipping boy
References in periodicals archive
Bound to a cotton band, the Lottie #19 Lash is made from Korean silk and features a glossy sheen.
Huda Kattan unveils collaboration with influencer Lottie Tomlinson
It's like some kind of witchcraft and, even at home, I usually restrict my occasional beautifying efforts to a quick slick of mascara on my lashes.
The eyes have it - and it's built to lash; Putting on mascara in the heat can be a nightmare - especially while on your summer holiday - so why not give the LVL lash lift a go? It might well be the solution to all your woes, by Prudence Wade
Any will do.Her lashes lifted elysee, 76 thousand followers, who dubs herself, "The World's BEST and FIRST Keratin Lash Lift", a fair title as she brought the technology into the US.
Discover the new skill that will give you long eye lashes
Max Factor Volume Infusion, PS12.99 HHHH H ONCE I might have scoffed at 'anti-ageing mascara', but my lashes are definitely thinner these days.
TRIED AND TESTED; THE LATEST, MOST LUSCIOUS LASH-ENHANCING MASCARAS
If you're not used to applying lashes, and want a set that aren't too full on, these are great for the price point.
tried and tested; FALSH LASHES
NEW Lounge assured me that I would not lose my natural lashes. The extensions will simply fall off after two weeks, sans your real hair, but would stay nice up to three weeks if you care for them.
Where you should lose your lash extension virginity
This type of procedure may discourage you due to some risks involved (such as skin irritation or, worse, it may even fry your lashes and make them fall out more quickly); however, if you are looking for a safe and effective treatment that will make your lashes stronger, longer, and healthier, then KeraLift will dispel all your worries and hesitations on getting your eyelashes permed.
Bat those lashes
Layering RapidShield on any time of day helps deliver bold definition and make lashes gleam with sultry shine and sheen.
Rocasuba Poised to Launch RapidShield Eyelash Conditioner
When I was given a change to try out the LVL Lashes at Browz in Dubai, I couldn't say no.
The Beauty Beat: Browz's LVL Lashes review
The brush is designed to sculpt and coat lashes making them look thicker and curved.
10 of the best WATERPROOF MASCARAS; Don't let panda eyes ruin your look on the beach. These waterproof mascaras will ensure your eye makeup stays firmly in place. By Didi Danso
The Conditioning Collagen Lash Primer, which is used during the day, contains lash extending/thickening microfibers to "instantly stretch and sculpt lashes, and collagen to help boost volume." The primer contains Nano-Peptide Complex to promote lash vitality and lash-extending natural fibers to instantly achieve the look of false lashes, according to the company.
Nourish at night with LashFood
In keeping with Ardell's commitment to innovation, the company says it will launch a patented new Press-On Lash with built-in applicator, designed to make application faster and easier than ever, especially for first-time users.
Eyebrows come in for their fair share of attention
3 These cheap and cheerful Collection 2000 Luscious Lashes in Glam Volume, PS2.99, from Boots are an absolute bargain and do the job just as well as other brands.
TAKE 3 FALSE EYELASHES
"It's one of those things you have to practice a few times to get good at." Brock's favorite lash brands are MAC Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever and Ardell, while her go-to adhesive is Duo.
Flawless falsies: apply fake lashes like a pro
We test out three lengthening ones | MAC Zoom Lash mascara, PS14 (www.maccosmetics.co.uk) MAC make-up is a staple of my cosmetic bag but this mascara was a huge disappointment.
TRIED& TESTED