flog

[ flog, flawg ]

verb (used with object)

, flogged, flog·ging.

1. to beat with a whip, stick, etc., especially as punishment; whip; scourge.

   Synonyms: lash, thrash

2. Slang.
   1. to sell, especially aggressively or vigorously.
   2. to promote; publicize.

flog

/ flɒɡ /

verb

1. tr to beat harshly, esp with a whip, strap, etc
2. slang.
   tr to sell
3. intr (of a sail) to flap noisily in the wind
4. intr to make progress by painful work
5. to steal
6. flog a dead horse
   flog a dead horse
   1. to harp on some long discarded subject
   2. to pursue the solution of a problem long realized to be insoluble
7. flog to death
   flog to death to persuade a person so persistently of the value of (an idea or venture) that he or she loses interest in it

Derived Forms

• ˈflogging, noun
• ˈflogger, noun

Other Words From

• flog·ga·ble adjective
• flog·ger noun
• o·ver·flog verb (used with object) overflogged overflogging
• un·flog·ga·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flog¹

First recorded in 1670–80; perhaps blend of flay and jog, variant of jag ¹ “to prick, slash”; but flagellate

Word History and Origins

Origin of flog¹

C17: probably from Latin flagellāre ; see flagellant

Idioms and Phrases

see beat a dead horse .

Example Sentences

It gave him the plausible deniability he and his defenders flogged throughout his presidency.

From Washington Post

He flogged people with his own hands, sometimes until they were dead, Grandy wrote.

From Washington Post

But how hard is it to make a doll that looks like the picture of the doll you are using to flog the doll itself?

From The Daily Beast

But now, in the present climate, the number is handy for the Pentagon to flog around town, so there it is.

From The Daily Beast

All I can say is, that I wish he was well, and could have us up and flog us all round, and so settle the matter off-hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the game was played to the end, it being a flog out from New Brighton to the Formby, and a run back each round.

From Project Gutenberg

He carried an ash-plant in his hand to flog the horse and to strike at the dogs that crossed his way.

From Project Gutenberg

He was minded to flog an Indian or two, and thus extract information; but calmer counsels prevailed.

From Project Gutenberg

The masters here are very strict indeed, but they never flog, only lock them up in a dungeon, and have a soldier to guard it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• castigate
• chastise
• spank