Definition of the word lash out

The origin of the phrase "lash out" can be traced back to the Middle English period, in which the term "lashen" referred to the action of striking or whipping with a whip or a lash, often used as a form of punishment or discipline. The verb "lash" originated from the Old Norse word "hlasja," meaning "to whip" or "to flagellate." When followed by the preposition "out," it took on the meaning of "acting suddenly and violently in response to a provocation or perceived threat," which is the modern-day use of the phrase "lash out." This figurative use of "lash out" first appeared in the mid-19th century, and it has since evolved to describe a wide range of behaviors, from physically outbreaks to emotional outbursts and verbal attacks. The use of "lash out" in contemporary English is to imply a forceful, impulsive, or aggressive action, with the potential for causing considerable damage or inflicting hurt.