to beat vs. pound vs. lash vs. hammer (draft)

Дата публикации: Aug 01, 2021 3:59:53 PM

beat

batter pound lash hammer

These words all mean to hit somebody/​something many times, especially hard.

beat to hit somebody/​something a lot of times, especially very hard:Someone was beating at the door. A young man was found beaten to death last night. At that time, children were often beaten for quite minor offences (= as a punishment).

batter to hit somebody/​something hard a lot of times, especially in way that causes serious injury or damage:He had been badly battered around the head and face. Severe winds have been battering the coast.

pound to hit somebody/​something hard a lot of times, especially in a way that makes a lot of noise:Heavy rain pounded on the roof.

lash to hit somebody/​something with a lot of force:The rain lashed at the window.

The subject of lash is often rain, wind, hail, sea or waves.

hammer to hit somebody/​something hard a lot of times, in a way that is noisy or violent:He hammered the door with his fists.

pound or hammer?

There is not much difference in meaning between these two, but to pound is sometimes a steadier action. To hammer can be more violent and it is often used figuratively.

Patterns

to beat/​batter/​pound/​lash/​hammer somebody/​something with something

to beat/​batter/​pound/​lash/​hammer against something

to beat/​batter/​pound/​hammer on something

to beat/​batter/​hammer something down

the rain/​wind/​sea beats/​batters/​pounds/​lashes (at) something