# lash out against

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lash-out-against
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to attack or criticize someone or something suddenly and angrily.

For teachers: to strike or attack suddenly and violently; to criticize or condemn forcefully, often in response to provocation; transitive, typically followed by a person or thing being attacked.

## Examples

- He lashed out against the criticism.
- After the argument, she lashed out against her colleague in front of everyone.
- The politician's harsh speech was a clear sign that he had lashed out against the opposition's recent policies.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He lashed out of the critic." but "He lashed out against the critic." — 'against' is the required preposition — 'out of' would mean a different action entirely.

## Usage notes

- typically followed by a person or thing being attacked or criticized.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'react to' (more neutral) and 'condemn' (more formal); 'lash out against' implies sudden, emotional aggression rather than calculated criticism.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.