whip (redirected from whipper)

crack the whip

to use your authority to make someone work harder, usually by threatening or punishing them. We were already three months behind schedule so I thought it was time to crack the whip.

See also: crack

get/have a fair crack of the whip

give someone a fair crack of the whip - to give someone an opportunity to do something. We'll take turns to host the conference. That way we'll all get a fair crack of the whip.

See also: crack, fair

give someone a fair crack of the whip (British & Australian, informal)

to give someone an opportunity to do something. Will you make sure all the speakers are given a fair crack of the whip in the debate?

See also: crack, fair, give

have/hold the whip hand

to be the person or group that has the most power in a situation. So long as we rely on them for money, they have the whip hand.

See also: hand, hold

knock/lick something/someone into shape

to improve the condition of something or the condition or behaviour of someone. The prime minister's main aim is to knock the economy into shape. Little Sean is a bit wild but the teachers'll soon lick him into shape when he starts school.

See also: knock, lick, shape

a whip-round (British & Australian, informal)

a collection of money among a group of people that is used to buy a present for someone. We had a whip-round for Annie's leaving present.

---

crack the whip

to use your authority to cause people to do more or do what you want. He is one editor who knows how to crack the whip, so his authors generally hand in their assignments on time.

See also: crack

whip someone/something into shape

to quickly improve someone or something. The district brought in a new principal to whip the school into shape. His crew includes a bunch of misfits whom he whips into shape in time to win the contest. These three new programs will help you whip your hard disk into shape.

Usage notes: usually said about improvements that happen because of hard work

See also: shape

whip up something

1. to cause something to increase in strength or violence. Huge waves, whipped up by the unusually strong winds, pounded the beaches. The press whipped up public opinion to the point where we were in danger of rioting in the streets. The crowd was pushing forward, and some people tried to whip things up even further.

2. to quickly prepare something to eat. They got up at 3:30, Pete whipped up breakfast, and they left for the airport by 4:00.

Usage notes: also used in the form whip someone up something: Let's ask Marion to whip us up a little snack.