flog
Beat with straps
Flog means to beat severely, typically with a whip or rod as punishment: The sailor was flogged for desertion.
The word extends to any harsh criticism or relentless pushing: Don't flog a dead horse.
In British slang, to flog something is to sell it, often aggressively or illicitly: He's flogging watches down at the market.
Strikes or aerates
- lashStrike or bind
- thrashBeat violently or defeat utterly
- scourgeCause of mass suffering
- birchPale deciduous hardwood
cane · strap · paddle · switch · horsewhip · cat-o'-nine-tails · flail · knout
Trained self-control or specialty
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
- castigateReprimand severely
- penalizeImpose a disadvantage for wrongdoing
- correctFree from error
sentence · retribution · deterrence · justice · correction · sanction · punitive · penance
Express sharp disapproval
- condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
- castigateReprimand severely
lambaste · excoriate · vilify · disparage · upbraid · reproach · censure · decry
whip
Strikes or aerates
birch · cane · strap · paddle · switch · horsewhip · cat-o'-nine-tails · flail · knout · quirt
hawk
Taloned predatory bird
market · vend · pitch · trade · offload · unload · shift · move · punt · merchandise
discipline
Trained self-control or specialty
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
- castigateReprimand severely
- penalizeImpose a disadvantage for wrongdoing
correct · sentence · retribution · deterrence · justice · correction · sanction · punitive · penance · atonement
rebuke
Express sharp disapproval
- condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
castigate · lambaste · excoriate · vilify · disparage · upbraid · reproach · censure · decry · pillory
pinch
Squeeze with fingertips
pilfer · filch · steal · thieve · purloin · snatch · take · nab · pocket · half-inch
exhaust
Use up entirely
overextend · strain · milk · exploit · overplay · worn-out · tire · grind · hammer
- flogging a dead horse
- flog a dead horsePursue pointless effort
- public floggingPunishment by whip, witnessed
- flogging dead horsePersisting uselessly with something finished