thrash
/θræʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /θræʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈthrash/ (ame, mw)
thrash — verb
- thrashpresent simple I / you / we / they
- thrasheshe / she / it
- thrashedpast simple
- thrashing-ing form
1. to strike a person or animal repeatedly with a stick, whip, or similar object, u
to strike a person or animal repeatedly with a stick, whip, or similar object, usually as a punishment for something they have done wrong
The cruel farmer used to thrash the oxen whenever they slowed down in the fields.
thrash + animal (oxen)
In Victorian schools, teachers would thrash boys for minor mistakes in their lessons.
thrash + person (for + reason)
Nala's grandfather was thrashed as a child for speaking his native language at school.
The old law allowed masters to thrash their servants, but it was rarely used by the twentieth century.
- pamper
to treat with excessive care and attention
文法句型
thrash + person/animal
用法筆記
This sense is most common in historical or literary contexts. In modern English, 'beat' or 'hit' are more frequent in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
2. to twist and shake your body or a part of it wildly, often because you are in pa
to twist and shake your body or a part of it wildly, often because you are in pain, having seizures, or cannot control your movements
The injured horse thrashed about in the mud, trying desperately to stand up again.
thrash about + location
Kenji thrashed wildly in his sleep, tangled in the sheets and calling out for help.
thrash + adverb (wildly) + in + location
The fish thrashed on the deck until the fisherman gently returned it to the water.
Clara's arms thrashed above the water as the lifeguard raced toward her across the pool.
- flail
suggests more random, uncontrolled waving of limbs
- writhe
focuses on twisting motion, usually from pain or discomfort
- toss and turn
specifically for restless movement in bed; less violent
- lie still
to remain motionless
文法句型
thrash + adverb/preposition (about, around, against)
用法筆記
This sense is usually intransitive. The adverb 'about' or 'around' is very common after 'thrash' in this meaning.
常見錯誤
3. to beat an opposing player or team by a very wide margin in a sports match or co
to beat an opposing player or team by a very wide margin in a sports match or competition
The home team thrashed their opponents five-nil in front of a huge crowd.
thrash + opponent + scoreline
Our school's basketball team was thrashed by a much stronger side from the neighbouring city.
passive: be thrashed by + stronger team
Wei thrashed every player in the online chess tournament without losing a single game.
The defending champions thrashed the newcomers ten points to two in the season opener.
- lose to
to be defeated by
文法句型
thrash + opponent/team
常見錯誤
4. to separate the edible seeds of a grain plant from the outer husks and straw by
to separate the edible seeds of a grain plant from the outer husks and straw by beating the dried stalks with a tool or machine
Before harvesters were invented, workers had to thrash the wheat by hand with wooden flails.
thrash + grain + method (by hand)
Omar watched the old machine thrash the barley as golden grains poured into the sack below.
The villagers gathered in the barn to thrash the rice harvest before the rainy season arrived.
文法句型
thrash + grain crop
用法筆記
The spelling 'thresh' is more common than 'thrash' for this agricultural sense. 'Thresh' is the standard form in modern English.
thrash — noun
- thrashsingular
- thrashesplural
1. a hard hit, blow, or strike given to a person, animal, or object in a violent or
a hard hit, blow, or strike given to a person, animal, or object in a violent or uncontrolled way
The prisoner received a severe thrash for attempting to climb over the prison wall.
receive a thrash + reason
The goalkeeper took a thrash to the face when the striker kicked the ball from close range.
take a thrash + body part
The cat gave the dangling string a quick thrash with its paw before losing interest.
文法句型
a thrash + to/in + body part
用法筆記
This noun sense is far less common than the verb. In everyday English, 'hit', 'blow', or 'beating' are used more frequently.
2. a style of heavy metal music that is extremely fast, loud, and aggressive, chara
a style of heavy metal music that is extremely fast, loud, and aggressive, characterised by rapid guitar riffs, pounding drums, and shouted vocals
Slayer and Megadeth helped make thrash popular among young music fans in the 1980s.
thrash + popular + time period
Deepa's first experience with thrash was at a concert where the drums shook the floor beneath her feet.
The guitar riffs in thrash are usually much faster than those in traditional heavy metal music.
- thrash metal
the full, more formal name for this music genre
- speed metal
a related but distinct subgenre; thrash is generally heavier
用法筆記
People often say 'thrash metal' rather than just 'thrash' when first introducing this genre. Using 'thrash' alone is common among fans and in informal music journalism.