I. ˈfläg also ˈflȯg verb
( flogged ; flogged ; flogging ; flogs )
Etymology: perhaps modification of Latin flagellare — more at flagellate
transitive verb
1. : to beat or strike with a rod or whip : whip , lash
2. : to strike repeatedly as if beating
wind-swept branches flogging the ground
often : to cast a fishline repeatedly into
flogged the stream for trout
3.
a. : punish 3
b. : to criticize harshly or scathingly
the opposition papers continue to flog the government over the economic crisis
4. chiefly Britain
a. : drive , push : force into attention or action
flogging his keen retentive memory — Nevil Shute
flogging herself into a rage
flogged his new car up to town
b. : to wear out : exhaust
completely flogged when he got to the top
pastures flogged by overgrazing
5. slang : to take (as government property) for purposes of resale
flogging blankets from the army depot
intransitive verb
1. : to flap or move violently or vigorously
awnings flogging in the wind
lambs racing to their mothers with their tales flogging
2. : to progress or function by a repeated sequence of movements
flogging down the road toward his home
the idling motor flogged away quietly
•
- flog a dead horse
II. transitive verb
1. chiefly Britain : sell 2a
2. : promote 4c : publicize
using famous personalities to flog products is not a new idea — Rod Townley