skelp
1 Americannoun
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a slap, smack, or blow, especially one given with the open hand.
-
the sound of such a slap or smack.
verb (used with object)
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to slap, smack, or strike (someone), especially on the buttocks; spank.
-
to drive (animals) by slapping or goading them.
noun
verb
noun
noun
Etymology
Origin of skelp1
1350–1400; Middle English; probably imitative
Origin of skelp2
First recorded in 1805–15; perhaps special use of skelp 1
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.
David Narey's famous skelp to put Scotland one up against Brazil in 1982 was the exact point at which the rot set in.
From The Guardian • Jun. 7, 2010
The Poet, some guid angel help him, Or else, I fear some ill ane skelp him, He may do weel for a’ he’s done yet, But only—he’s no just begun yet.
From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Burns, Robert
And when a skelp cleaves siffling doom, And vapours scyle a greenish ghaut, Rebellious vandals stamp their feet As rulling Cyons wield hell's prong.
From Betelguese A Trip Through Hell by de Esque, Jean
My bonnie maid, before ye wed Sic clumsy-witted hammers, Seek Heaven for help, and barefit skelp Awa’ wi’ Willie Chalmers.
From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Burns, Robert
But of my own hand it's ever been a matter of congratoolations to me that I don't down nobody an' never takes a skelp.
From Wolfville Nights by Lewis, Alfred Henry
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.
