were flaying
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past progressiveof flay.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
flayverb (used with object)to strip off the skin or outer covering of.
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.
As he strolled in several minutes late Mr. Cox heard high words, realized that the other Conference officials were flaying President Roosevelt.
From Time Magazine Archive
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His voice was as tense and metallic as a taut string, and he snapped out the lilting line in swift staccato as if he were flaying his audience with a whip.
From Golden Lads by Arthur Gleason
While Hendrik and Groot Willem were flaying off the skin, Hans and Arend were busy with the head and horns, preparing them for preservation.
From The Young Yagers A Narrative of Hunting Adventures in Southern Africa by Mayne Reid
During the forenoon, while we were flaying and shooting seals, we heard the old, well-known sound -- put, put, put -- of the Fram's motor, and presently the crow's-nest appeared above the Barrier.
From The South Pole; an account of the Norwegian Antarctic expedition in the "Fram," 1910-12 — Volume 1 and Volume 2 by Arthur G. Chater
Then Telemachus returned to the house, and the suitors were flaying goats and singeing swine in the court.
From The Story of the Odyssey by Homer