thrash
verb (used with object)
to beat soundly in punishment; flog.
had been thrashing
-
past perfect progressiveof thrash.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
At the point of his walk-on, this trio had been thrashing with impressive force and erudition.
From New York Times ● Jun. 21, 2010
He had been thrashing the brook since daylight,—over his knees sometimes.
From A Gentleman Vagabond and Some Others by Francis Hopkinson Smith
In consequence, the preaching had now to be carried on where formerly there had been thrashing; and the seed of the divine word to be turned over on the same threshing-floor with natural corn-seed.
From Translations from the German (Vol 3 of 3) Tales by Musaeus, Tieck, Richter by Thomas Carlyle
The little girl had been thrashing about in the bed and whimpering for “daddy” since eight o’clock.
From What's-His-Name by Harrison Fisher
The Spindrift, which had been thrashing her way into the teeth of the wind, was allowed to go free, and reached swiftly towards Ilaun More.
From The Simpkins Plot by George A. Birmingham
