English Reference

Phrasal verb

lash into

Definition

phrasal verb. to attack or criticize something strongly and directly.

phrasal verb. to strike or criticize with force; to begin attacking something immediately, often with emotional intensity.

Examples

“The teacher lashed into the student's mistake.”

“During the meeting, the manager lashed into the report for its lack of detail.”

“The critic lashed into the film's plot holes with relentless precision.”

Examples

simple

“The teacher lashed into the student's mistake.”

contextual

“During the meeting, the manager lashed into the report for its lack of detail.”

complex

“The critic lashed into the film's plot holes with relentless precision.”

Usage

typically followed by a noun indicating the target of the attack or criticism.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'criticize' (more general) and 'attack' (more physical); 'lash into' implies sudden, intense verbal aggression.

Pitfall

He lashed into

He lashed into the problem

the phrasal verb requires a direct object to indicate what is being attacked or criticized.

Phrasal verb

Particles

into

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

lash + into + object

Synonyms

Antonyms

Grammar

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference