Showing results for "shellacking"

• present participle of shellac.

shellacking

American  

[shuh-lak-ing] / ʃəˈlæk ɪŋ /

noun

Slang.

1. an utter defeat.

   a shellacking their team will remember.

2. a sound thrashing.

   His father gave him a shellacking for stealing the book.

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shellacking British  

/ ˈʃɛlækɪŋ, ʃəˈlækɪŋ /

noun

1. slang a complete defeat; a sound beating

   anyone who gives a shellacking to their bigger neighbours

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shellacking Idioms  

1. see take a shellacking.

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Etymology

Origin of shellacking

First recorded in 1880–85; shellac + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Shellacking McNamara and Georgetown Prep and Gilman was just as satisfying, Gonzaga players claimed, as beating DeMatha on the Stags’ home field.

From Washington Post • Oct. 6, 2017

Shellacking of covers has been advocated by some librarians, but it is doubtful if it pays.

From Library Bookbinding by Bailey, Arthur Low

Shellacking the covers, especially those in light colors, provides great protection from dirt, and they are then easily washed with the vinegar and water.

From Mending and Repair of Books by Brown, Margaret Wright

Related Words

• beating
• blow
• breakdown
• collapse
• debacle
• destruction
• drubbing
• embarrassment
• failure
• killing
• loss
• massacre
• rout
• setback
• thrashing
• triumph