slash at

slash at (someone or something)

1. To swing a cutting weapon in a forceful thrusting or sweeping stroke in the direction of someone. I picked up the knife and slashed at the would-be mugger to chase him away.
2. To cut something repeatedly with forceful thrusting or sweeping strokes. I kept slashing at the rope with my pocket knife, trying desperately to free my foot from the submerged boat.
See also: slash
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

slash (out) at someone

to thrust out at someone with a knife or something similar, with the intent of cutting. The attacker slashed out at his victim and then ran away. Max slashed at the cop with a pocketknife.
See also: slash
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • slash at (someone or something)
  • thrust (someone or something) on (someone or something)
  • thrust on
  • thrust through
  • thrust through (someone or something)
  • let up on
  • push against
  • fade up
  • forget you
  • Forget you!
References in classic literature
"I count for a hundred," replied Don Quixote, and without more words he drew his sword and attacked the Yanguesans and excited and impelled by the example of his master, Sancho did the same; and to begin with, Don Quixote delivered a slash at one of them that laid open the leather jerkin he wore, together with a great portion of his shoulder.
Don Quixote
The foremost swordsman won three strides on him and was near enough to slash at him and miss as he spurted.
Slash went the swordsman and slash at something on the ground that tried to save itself with ineffectual hands.
The War in the Air
Singles with a strong disposition and a sense of humor can send their questions to Uncle Slash at www.howdoidate.com/ask-uncle-slash/.
World's First Agony Uncle Joins Dating Advice Website as Advice Columnist
"When she tried to get him off me, he tried to slash at her too.
10 YRS FOR BUS STOP SLASHER; Man attacked in front of pregnant girlfriend
These statistics coincide with the study's examination of slashes as it is much easier to produce fatal trauma by slashing at the neck (e.g., severing vertebrae or hitting the carotid arteries) than it would be to slash at the chest because the ribs provide a great deal of protection to the heart and lungs.
Edged weapons: traditional and emerging threats to law enforcement