Flog | Definition of flog by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of FLOG

transitive verb

1

a : to beat with or as if with a rod or whip

b : to criticize harshly

2

: to force or urge into action : drive

3

a chiefly British : to sell (as stolen goods) illegally <flogged their employers' petrol to ordinary motorists — Economist>

b : sell 7 <traveled by horse, flogging encyclopedias — Robert Darnton>

c : to promote aggressively : plug <flying around the world flogging your movies — Peter Bogdanovich>

4

British : steal 1

intransitive verb

1

: flap, flutter <sails flogging>

2

British : to move along with difficulty : slog

— flog·ger noun

See flog defined for English-language learners

See flog defined for kids

perhaps modification of Latin flagellare to whip — more at flagellate

First Known Use: circa 1676

Synonyms: birch, cowhide, flagellate, flail, whip, hide, horsewhip, lash, leather, rawhide, scourge, slash, switch, tan, thrash, whale

: to beat severely with a rod or whip

Next Word in the Dictionary: floggablePrevious Word in the Dictionary: FloerkeaAll Words Near: flog

What made you want to look up flog? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).