whip (redirected from whipping into)

horse and buggy and horse and carriage; buggy whip

Fig. a carriage pulled by a horse, as opposed to a modern automobile; the horse was urged on with a whip. (A symbol of old-fashionedness or out-of-dateness. Particularly with go out with, as in the examples.) That kind of clothing went out with the horse and buggy. I thought suspenders went out with the horse and carriage, but I see them everywhere now.

See also: and, buggy, horse

lick someone or something into shape

to press or force someone or something into good shape or condition. The drama coach will try to lick her into shape by performance time. Please try to lick this report into shape by tomorrow morning.

See also: lick, shape

lick something into shape and whip something into shape

Fig. to put something into good condition, possibly with considerable effort. I've got about two days more to lick this place into shape so I can sell it. I want to whip this house into shape for Saturday night.

See also: lick, shape

whip (something written) off to someone

Inf. to write and send off a letter to someone quickly. After I got her letter, I whipped an answer off to her the same afternoon. Liz whipped off a letter to her grandmother.

whip someone or something around

to cause someone or something to reverse direction quickly. The roller coaster whipped around the riders, right and left, until they were almost sick. The sharp turn whipped me around, but I wasn't hurt.

See also: around

whip someone or something into shape

to cause someone or something to be in a better condition. The coach was not able to whip the players into shape before the game. I think I can whip this proposal into shape quickly. Hey, Tom, whip yourself into shape. You look a mess.

See also: shape

whip someone or something on

to force someone or something to continue by whipping or beating. The rider whipped his horse on, faster and faster. The stage coach driver whipped on the team of horses.

whip someone into a state

Fig. to excite, arouse, or foment someone into some state. (Based on whip someone into doing something.) The governor's speech whipped the audience into a frenzy. The angry cries from the audience whipped the speaker into a rage.

See also: state

whip someone into doing something

to beat someone into doing something. The cruel captain whipped his men into going on with the journey. You can't whip me into betraying my friends.

See also: doing

whip someone up

to excite or stir up someone. Well, you've certainly whipped them up with that speech. Harry whipped up the crowd with a few good jokes.

See also: up

whip something away (from someone)

to jerk something away from someone suddenly. The mugger whipped Sally's purse away from her and ran. The thief whipped away the purse.

See also: away

whip something into something

to beat one soft ingredient into another. Whip the butter into the egg and make a smooth paste. First, you must whip the egg whites into the cream.

whip something off 

1. Inf. to do or create something quickly. If you need another receipt, I can whip one off in a jiffy. She whipped off another set of earrings for the tourist.

2. Inf. to remove something, such as an item of clothing, quickly. He whipped the coat off and dived into the water. I whipped off my cap.

whip something out 

1. Inf. to complete making or working on something quickly. I think I can whip one out for you very quickly. The factory whips out twenty of these every minute.

2. Inf. to jerk something out [of some place]. Liz whipped a pencil out of her pocket. She whipped out a pencil and signed the contract.

See also: out

whip something over (to someone)

Fig. to send or give something to someone with great speed. I will whip this letter over to Mr. Franklin right away. Sam whipped the package over to Alice immediately.

whip something up

to prepare, create, or put something together. I haven't written my report yet, but I'll whip one up before the deadline. I will whip up the most beautiful arrangement you have ever seen.

See also: up

whip around 

1. to reverse suddenly. (As with the tip of a whip.) The rope suddenly whipped around and struck me in the face. A branch whipped around and tore my shirt. 2. to turn around very quickly and suddenly. John whipped around when he heard the noise. Claire whipped around to face her opponent.

See also: around

whip back (on someone)

[for something] to snap back and strike someone. The branch whipped back and struck Jill in the leg. It whipped back and slapped my side.

See also: back

whip into something

Fig. to go quickly into something or some place. They whipped into the parking space before I could get there. I whipped into the store to pick up a few things.

whip through something

Fig. to work through something very fast. Do this carefully. Don't just whip through it. She whipped through her homework and went outside to play.

See also: through

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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 make someone work harder, usually by threatening or punishing them

Usage notes: A whip is a piece of leather or rope fastened to a stick which you hit a horse with in order to make it go faster.

We were already three months behind schedule so I thought it was time to crack the whip.

See also: crack

give somebody 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 knock into shape, crack the whip

See also: hand, have

knock/lick/whipsomething/somebody 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, shape

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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 somebody/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 also whip something up

1. 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.

2. 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.

See also: up