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thrash

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thrash around

to move about restlessly or violently. Settle down and stop thrashing around. Timmy thrashed around all night when he had the high fever.

See also: around, thrash

thrash something out

Fig. to discuss something thoroughly and solve any problems. The committee took hours to thrash the whole matter out. John and Anne thrashed out the reasons for their constant disagreements.

See also: out, thrash

thrash something out of someone

Lit. to beat something out of someone. The sheriff really wanted to thrash the truth out of Tex, but that is illegal. Max wanted to know where the money was hidden and he tried to thrash it out of Lefty.

See also: of, out, thrash

thrash out something

also thrash something out

to reach an agreement after a long or difficult discussion The meeting lasted all night, but by morning, the two sides had thrashed out their differences and agreed on a new contract. They're close to making a deal, and we just hope they can thrash it out without going to trial.

See also: out, thrash

thrash about

Also, thrash around. Move wildly or violently, as in He thrashed about all night, unable to sleep, or The fish thrashed around on the dock, so Meg threw it back in the water. [Mid-1800s]

See also: thrash

thrash out

Discuss fully, especially to resolve a problem, as in We'll just have to thrash out our ideas about where to go on vacation. [Late 1800s]

See also: out, thrash

thrash out

v.

1. To discuss or examine something fully: The committee thrashed out the new budget. The politician thrashed the issue out with her advisers.

2. To come to some agreement or solution through intense debate: The two sides finally thrashed out a compromise. The defense thrashed a deal out with the prosecution.

See also: out, thrash

thrash on someone

in. to scold, criticize, or berate someone. She’s always thrashing on her roommate.

See also: on, thrash