beat the stuffing out of
Defeat very badly
To beat the stuffing out of someone is to beat them severely, as if the blows could knock loose what's inside them.
The phrase emphasizes thoroughness—not just hitting, but pummeling until nothing's left: The bigger kid beat the stuffing out of him behind the gym.
Often used as a threat or boast.
Variants include knock and kick.
pummel
Strike repeatedly with fists
wallop · clobber · bludgeon · flog · lambaste · stomp · punch · slug · smack · belt
trounce
Defeat decisively
- crushCompress with force
- demolishDestroy completely
- annihilateDestroy completely, leaving nothing
obliterate · rout · decimate · dominate · overwhelm · vanquish · hammer · shellac · cream · slaughter