Definition

1. Verb (Phrasal Verb):
   • To suddenly attack someone or something physically: To make a sudden, forceful physical strike.
   • To suddenly criticize someone or something very angrily: To express strong anger, disapproval, or criticism in a sudden and forceful verbal manner.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (Physical Attack):

  • The cornered animal lashed out with its claws.
  • He lashed out and hit the wall in frustration.

• Verb (Verbal Attack/Criticism):

  • The politician lashed out at the media during the press conference.
  • She lashed out at her colleagues for their lack of support.

Advanced Usage

• The phrasal verb is often followed by the preposition "at" to specify the target of the attack or criticism.
• It implies a loss of control or a reaction that is sudden, emotional, and aggressive.
• "To lash out against [something]": To direct angry criticism towards a system, idea, or injustice.
  • The protesters lashed out against government corruption.

Variants and Related Words

• Lash (verb): To strike with force; to criticize severely.
  • The storm lashed the coastline.
  • The report lashed the company's environmental record.
• Outburst (noun): A sudden release of strong emotion, often anger.
  • His angry outburst shocked everyone.

Synonyms

• Attack: To act against in a violent or critical way.
• Blast: To criticize severely.
• Berate: To scold or criticize angrily.
• Strike out: To aim a sudden blow.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Strike out at: Similar to "lash out at," meaning to aim a blow or criticism at someone.
  • In his speech, he struck out at his political rivals.
• Fly off the handle (idiom): To suddenly become very angry.
  • He flew off the handle when he saw the mistake.

Related Idioms

• To bite someone's head off: To respond with sudden, fierce anger.
  • I just asked a simple question, and she bit my head off.

Verb

1. attack in speech or writing
   • The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker