Phrasal verb
lash out on
Definition
phrasal verb. to attack or criticize someone suddenly, often in anger — usually without thinking first.
phrasal verb. to strike or attack suddenly; can also mean to criticize harshly, often in a moment of anger or frustration; the preposition 'on' is less common than 'at' in this context.
Examples
“He lashed out on his colleague during the meeting.”
“After the argument, she lashed out on her friend for not supporting her.”
“The politician lashed out on the media for their biased reporting, causing a scandal.”
Examples
simple
“He lashed out on his colleague during the meeting.”
contextual
“After the argument, she lashed out on her friend for not supporting her.”
complex
“The politician lashed out on the media for their biased reporting, causing a scandal.”
Usage
typically followed by a person or group being attacked or criticized.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'lash out at' (more common) and explain that 'on' is less standard but sometimes used in informal contexts.
Pitfall
He lashed out at his colleague
He lashed out on his colleague
the preposition 'on' is less common than 'at' but can be used in informal speech; learners may confuse the two.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out on
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
lash + out + on + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/lash-out-on