Shellacking

A decisive defeat; a thorough thrashing or beating, often involving a significant margin of loss. It can apply to various contexts, including political elections, sports competitions, financial markets, and even social situations. The term emphasizes the severity and completeness of the defeat, implying overwhelming dominance by the victor and often a demoralizing experience for the loser. It goes beyond a simple loss and suggests a humiliating and comprehensive rout. The impact of a shellacking is typically significant, potentially leading to changes in strategy, personnel, or public perception.

Shellacking meaning with examples

• The underdog team suffered a brutal shellacking in the championship game, losing by over forty points to their much-favored opponent. The coach was forced to rethink their entire game plan after such a devastating loss. The fans went home sad after their team didn't deliver. The commentators called it the worst defeat in the team's history.
• In the recent election, the incumbent party received a shellacking, losing control of both the House and the Senate. The results indicated widespread dissatisfaction with the government's policies. Political analysts have debated the reason for the shellacking. The voters were clearly sending a message to the government.
• The company's stock experienced a severe shellacking after the disappointing quarterly earnings report was released. Investors panicked, selling off shares rapidly, and the stock price plummeted. It will be hard for the company to regain the investors' trust. The stock's shellacking was all the investors needed.
• The chess grandmaster delivered a shellacking to his opponent, checkmating him in just a few moves and leaving him humiliated. The defeated opponent, never having experienced such a defeat, learned a lot from the grandmaster. The crowd roared with excitement at seeing the chess grandmaster's masterful plays.
• After the public debated their proposal, the community gave the town council a shellacking over their proposed development plan, rejecting it overwhelmingly in a town vote. The town council was forced to make a new plan or face more rejection. They thought they had a good idea, but they underestimated the voters.