Flog

To beat someone as a punishment; to whip severely. This primarily refers to physical punishment inflicted with a whip or similar instrument. Figuratively, it can also describe the relentless criticism or pressure applied to someone, or the energetic or excessive promotion of something. The act is considered cruel and inhumane, especially in the context of modern legal systems. The severity of a flogging can range from a few lashes to a large number, causing significant pain and potential injury. It is also used to denote the act of criticizing or harshly reprimanding, often without mercy, or to describe the aggressive or unrelenting promotion or selling of something. The implications include severity, discipline, and sometimes, excessive force.

Flog meaning with examples

• The prisoner was sentenced to be flogged for his crime, a brutal punishment that left him with lasting scars and the event sparked outrage from human rights organizations worldwide. This act, viewed as barbaric, caused significant controversy. The practice is now generally considered unlawful in most jurisdictions, especially for minor offenses.
• The coach would constantly flog the team after every loss, berating them until they were exhausted and demoralized. The criticism was intense and unrelenting and did little to improve their performance, but only made the atmosphere worse, leading to resentment and reduced morale.
• The company was determined to flog their new product, launching an aggressive marketing campaign designed to saturate the market. This campaign resulted in a relentless barrage of advertising, aimed at maximizing the potential for sales, with the intention of increasing profits.
• The politician's opponents would constantly try to flog him in the public eye by highlighting his past indiscretions, attempting to damage his reputation. This unrelenting criticism was a calculated strategy designed to undermine his public image, leading to considerable stress for the politician and his supporters.
• He was tempted to flog his old car to the first buyer but instead decided to get it fully serviced and try to achieve a higher selling price. After the significant repair cost he realized it was a huge financial challenge so was eventually sold at a discounted price.