You should already know that a phrasal verb is the combination of a verb with one or two more words, which often change its meaning. Did you know that here on the website we have posts about more than 550 phrasal verbs ?
Today we’ll talk about lash out , a phrasal verb that short – tempered people love! Lash out is when the person gets very angry and attacks others, verbally or physically. That is why the phrases below are divided into two translations: “to attack” when it is physically, and “to burst” when it is verbally. Check it out:
1 – Let’s start by seeing lash out in order to physically “attack” someone:
That ornery old cat will lash out at you if you get too close.
That genious old cat will attack you if you get too close.
I was only teasing him and suddenly he lashed out at me and hit me in the face.
I was just teasing him and suddenly he attacked me and hit me in the face.
Riot police fired in the air and lashed out with clubs to disperse hundreds of demonstrators.
The riot police fired into the air and attacked with clubs to disperse the hundreds of protesters.
His gauze became sharp and dangerous like that of a cornered animal that was prepared to lash out in order to protect itself.
His gaze became brutal and dangerous, like that of a cornered animal that was prepared to attack in order to protect itself.
Once he has lost control and lashed out at his tormentor, she then possesses undeniable evidence of his cruelty.
Once he lost control and attacked his tormentor, she then has undeniable evidence of his cruelty.
Frightened by the crowd, the man lashed out at several people until he was finally arrested by the police.
Startled by the crowd, the man attacked several people before finally being arrested by the police.
2 – Now, let’s see lash out in the sense of “bursting” with anger:
Her husband has a terrible temper and lashes out at everyone when he’s angry.
Her husband has a terrible temper and bursts with anyone when he is angry.
Why’s Tina in such a bad mood? She really lashed out at me when I was late for work.
Why is Tina in such a bad mood? She really blew up with me when I was late for work.
Especially during difficult economic times, we tend to lash out at foreigners and blame them for our troubles.
Especially during difficult economic times, we tend to blow up foreigners and blame them for our problems.
He wanted to swear, to curse and to lash out in frustration.
He wanted to curse, curse and burst with frustration.
The Cuban leader lashed out against the policy of the US President.
The Cuban leader broke out against the policy of the US president.
Hey, don’t lash out at me, I’m just the messenger!
Hey, don’t pop with me, I’m just the messenger!
(Read the post Don’t Shoot The Messenger │ What does this expression mean? )
I couldn’t help but lash out when I heard about the latest mishap.
I couldn’t help but burst when I heard about the latest setback.
After listening to his dad’s criticism of his driving, Arthur lashed out at him.
After hearing his father’s criticism of his direction, Arthur broke out with him.
The mayor lashed out at his critics during the interview.
The mayor broke out with his critics during the interview.
The defendant lashed out when asked about his arrest record.
The defendant broke out when asked about his arrest history.
Now that you’ve learned what lash out means , run over to Anki to add more phrasal verb to your collection! And take the opportunity to read other expressions with similar meanings, such as Mouth Off and Go Bananas
