Definition

Verb: * To strike or beat a person repeatedly with the barrel or grip of a pistol, typically as a method of assault or intimidation.

Usage

The verb "pistol-whip" describes a specific, violent action. It is a transitive verb and requires a direct object (the person being beaten). * The gangsters threatened to pistol-whip him if he didn't reveal the information. * In the film, the villain pistol-whipped the security guard before opening the safe.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used figuratively to describe a harsh, overwhelming defeat or criticism, though this is less common.
  • The champion boxer was pistol-whipped in the press for his poor performance.

Variants and Related Words

• Pistol-whipping (noun): The act or an instance of beating someone with a pistol.
  • He suffered a concussion from the pistol-whipping.

Synonyms

• Beat
• Bludgeon
• Club
• Cudgel

Related Phrasal Verbs/Idioms

• Beat (someone) senseless: To beat someone until they are unconscious or disoriented. This is a more general phrase that can describe the result of a pistol-whipping.
  • The thieves beat the witness senseless.

Verb

1. beat with a pistol