whipping
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Related to whipping: whipping post, whiplash
pencil whip
1. To complete a form or record, especially a checklist, without doing the work required or by providing falsified or incomplete information. It has come to light that the safety supervisor aboard the oil rig had been pencil whipping his observational reports for several weeks leading up to the disaster.
2. To approve such a form without actually verifying that the contents are accurate or properly completed. We're supposed to fill out a detailed checklist after each shift, but I know my boss just pencil whips them.
whipping boy
A person or thing that is blamed for problems, often those caused by someone or something else. Bobby got tired of being the whipping boy for the mischief caused by his older brothers. Video games have become the whipping boy for the violent behavior displayed by today's youth.
whip (someone or something) into shape
To return someone or something into acceptable condition or behavior, especially through direct, efficient, and practical means. The president won the election on his promise to whip the economy into shape by overhauling outdated or inefficient legislation. What he really needs is a mentor who will whip him into shape.
whip up
1. To excite or incite strong emotions. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "whip" and "up." He has deliberately whipped up his supporters to a state of frenzy. Mrs. Johnson always knew how to whip up enthusiasm among the students. The kids will never go to bed now that you've whipped them up.
2. To agitate or create through agitation or turbulence. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "whip" and "up." The strong winds whipped up the ocean and made it unsafe to go into the water. The cold front will meet the warm front and most certainly whip up a severe thunderstorm.
3. To prepare very quickly and often easily. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "whip" and "up." No need to order out—I'll just whip up dinner real quick. Should we buy a cake or can you whip one up tonight? Please whip up some name tags for the last-minute attendees—they don't have to be perfect.
whip (one's) ass
1. rude slang, verb To defeat someone or something decisively. We weren't prepared for that game, and the other team whipped our asses.
2. rude slang, verb To physically attack one; to beat one up. I'll whip your ass if I ever see you talking to my girlfriend again.
whip the cat
1. obsolete To get very drunk My guess is that Father is out whipping the cat again, while I remain here providing for our family.
2. obsolete To shirk one's work or duties. The luckless fellow was accused of whipping the cat, and just like that, was removed from his lowly job as quickly as he had come to fill it.
3. obsolete To play a practical joke (on someone). They led me to believe my family had been taken by the authorities, but it soon became clear they were merely whipping the cat.
4. obsolete To go door to door to do work for others, as an itinerant tailor, carpenter, or other laborer might. The poor fellow has been reduced to whipping the cat, and you can see him soliciting the houses every day looking for a bit of work that might see him eat for the next few days.
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.
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.
whipping boy
Fig. someone who is punished for someone else's misdeeds. The president has turned out to be the whipping boy for his party.
whipping boy
A scapegoat, as in This department's always been the whipping boy when things don't go well. This expression alludes to the former practice of keeping a boy to be whipped in place of a prince who was to be punished. [Early 1900s]
whip up
1. Arouse, excite, as in The speaker whipped up the mob [Early 1800s]
2. Prepare quickly, as in I can easily whip up some lunch. This usage was first recorded in 1611.
a whipping boy
If someone is a whipping boy, people blame them when things go wrong. `There won't be a white paper,' one minister said yesterday. `It wouldn't solve anything. It would just make the prime minister a whipping boy for both the left and right.' This is the story of how America's favorite whipping boy became her favorite son. Note: A whipping boy was a boy who was educated with a prince and was punished for the prince's mistakes because tutors were not allowed to hit the prince.
whip the cat
1 complain or moan. 2 be sorry; show remorse. Australian & New Zealand informala ˈwhipping boy
a person who is blamed or punished for the mistakes of another person: The directors are clearly responsible for what happened, but they’re sure to find a whipping boy lower down the company. ♢ It was your fault, and I am not going to be your whipping boy.In the past when a royal prince made a mistake in his lessons, another boy was whipped (= punished) for his mistakes.whip up
v.
1. To churn or agitate something into a state of turbulence: The storm whipped up the sea, endangering the ships. The wind whipped the fire up so that it raged out of control. The car whipped up the leaves along the road.
2. To cause something to form by churning or agitating: The storm whipped up massive waves in the normally calm sea. The hurricane whipped several tornados up in its wake.
3. To rouse the emotions of some group of people; excite some group of people: The candidate whipped up the mob with talk of reform. The finale whipped the audience up into a frenzy.
4. To summon some collective emotion or sentiment by exciting a group of people: The promoters whipped up enthusiasm for the new film. We'll need a lot of hype to sell this product, and our marketers can whip it up.
5. To prepare something quickly or easily: We whipped up a light lunch before setting out. I whipped some oatmeal up in just a few minutes.
6. whip up on To defeat someone decisively; outdo someone: The home team whipped up on its rival last weekend.