lash out
verbEtymology For the verb's chief current sense (to attack suddenly), by surface analysis suggests reaching out with the lash (either literally or figuratively); however, the verb is entered in various early-19th-century dictionaries with various senses, only some of which have to do with attacking, kicking, or similar. One of them corresponds to today's splash out (that is, to break out into spending), while another corresponds to breaking out into expressing oneself verbally.
1
To make a sudden violent attack.
- Four Japanese torpedo boats launch an attack on the Suvorov. Despite burning steadily for several hours and now taking a torpedo to the stern, the ship still lashes out at its attackers with a few remaining guns. With no pressing need to continue the attack to closer range, the torpedo boats fall back, noting the position for a night attack if Suvorov survives that long.2019 September 18, Drachinifel, 25:58 from the start, in Battle of Tsushima - When the 2nd Pacific Squadron thought it couldn't get any worse..., archived from the original on 04 Dec 2022:
2
Figuratively To make a fierce verbal attack.
- The man lashed out at me when I asked if it was his own hair.
- He [Sebastian Kurz] has lashed out at the justice system, accusing prosecutors of being politically motivated.2021 October 17, Katrin Bennhold, “Fake Polls and Tabloid Coverage on Demand: The Dark Side of Sebastian Kurz”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 26 Nov 2021:
3 more examples
- Donald Trump has lashed out against his own supporters, calling them gullible “weaklings” for questioning the transparency of a secretive government inquiry into the late high-profile socialite and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.2025 July 17, Oliver Holmes, “Trump calls Epstein conspiracy a ‘hoax’ and turns on Maga ‘weaklings’”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 10 Aug 2025:
- Vice President J. D. Vance has lashed out at [Gavin] Newsom, telling Fox that the Californian’s attacks aren’t landing, because his trolling “ignores the fundamental genius of President Trump’s political success, which is that he’s authentic” […]2025 August 22, Tom Nichols, “MAGA World Is So Close to Getting It”, in The Atlantic, archived from the original on 22 Aug 2025:
- In August 2025, during a media conference at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on the outcomes of the ANC’s recent National Executive Committee meeting, Fikile Mbalula, Secretary General of the ANC, lashed out at white South Africans and Afrikaner refugees to the US.2025 November 23, “The World Must Know”, in AfriForum, archived from the original on 08 Dec 2025, page 5:
3
To splash out (spend a lot of money).
- Related terms
- lashing