HIDING

[noun] [C usually singular] [dated] or humorous - a punishment by beating repeatedlyHe threatened her with a good (= severe) hiding if she said another word.See also hiding at hide (OUT OF VIEW).(informal) A hiding is also a total defeat."How did the French team get on in their match against Italy?" "They got a real hiding!"(UK informal) If someone is on a hiding to nothing, they are trying to do something when there is no chance that they will succeed.They're on a hiding to nothing trying to get money out of this government.