Thrashing: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'thrashing' when describing a violent or intense beating, physical struggle, or energetic movement. It is often used in a negative or intense context.

• The fisherman caught a large fish that started thrashing wildly in the boat.
• After the argument, he felt like he had taken a thrashing both verbally and emotionally.

Use 'threshing' when referring to the agricultural process of separating grain from the chaff. It is a technical term mostly used in farming and agricultural contexts.

• Threshing the wheat was hard work, but it was necessary to prepare it for market.
• In the old days, threshing was done by hand, but now machines handle the process much more efficiently.

Use 'separating' when discussing the act of dividing or splitting something into different parts. This can be used in a variety of contexts, including physical division, emotional parting, or categorization.

• Separating the egg whites from the yolks can be tricky if you don't have the right tools.
• After a long discussion, they decided that separating was the best option for their relationship.

Typically used in the context of sports or competitions where one party wins by a large margin. It can also be used to describe a severe beating or punishment. It often has an informal and somewhat intense tone.

• The team suffered a thrashing in the final game.
• He got a thrashing for breaking the rules.

Used in a wide range of situations to describe a loss, be it in sports, battles, or any competitive scenario. The term is formal and neutral but can sometimes carry a sense of disappointment.

• The army faced a crushing defeat.
• Her defeat in the election was unexpected.

An informal term often used in sports to describe a thorough and humiliating defeat. It has a slightly playful, yet harsh connotation, indicating that the loss was particularly embarrassing.

• The team took a drubbing on their home ground.
• The chess champion handed a drubbing to his opponent.

This word can also be used in the context of a severe defeat in a competition, such as sports or games. This usage still retains a negative connotation but is related to competitive contexts rather than physical violence.

• The team suffered a thrashing in last night's game.

Used to indicate the act of moving rhythmically to music. It is typically used in positive or neutral contexts and is associated with joy, celebration, or artistic expression.

• They attended a dance class to learn new moves.
• She loves to dance whenever her favorite song comes on.

Refers to a social gathering of invited guests, typically for the purpose of celebration, relaxation, or social interaction. Generally used in a positive context.

• We are hosting a birthday party this weekend.
• The holiday party was a great success.