cosh
1 Americannoun
verb (used with object)
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coshes,
present (3rd person singular)
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coshed,
past participle, past
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coshing
present participle
noun
noun
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a blunt weapon, often made of hard rubber; bludgeon
-
an attack with such a weapon
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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coshsimple
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coshessimple
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have coshedperfect
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has coshedperfect
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am coshingprogressive
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are coshingprogressive
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is coshingprogressive
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have been coshingperfect progressive
-
has been coshingperfect progressive
Past
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coshedsimple
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had coshedperfect
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was coshingprogressive
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were coshingprogressive
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had been coshingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of cosh1
First recorded in 1865–70; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Romani kosh, koshter “piece of wood,stick,” akin to Sanskrit kāṣṭham
Origin of cosh2
First recorded in 1870–75; cos(ine) + h(yperbolic)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The dynamics of the Japanese yen carry-trade, however, a trading strategy where investors short low-yielding yen assets to buy higher-yielding assets elsewhere, have kept it under the cosh for most of the past 15 years.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026
In recent weeks, and indeed days, Nigel Farage has been under the cosh.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
Four-time major champion Sinner was imperious and looked unflustered on the few occasions that the aggressive Shelton put him under the cosh.
From Barron's ● Jan. 28, 2026
Making jumpy decisions when under the cosh is not the way to survive a trial at Tynecastle, but that's what Murray did when bringing down Braga for Shankland's penalty.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2025
Py cosh, I learns you not to call names py sober peoples.
From The Lonesome Trail and Other Stories by B. M. Bower
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
