Meaning of whipping

[Konakis]

English Synonym, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #68 "Synonyms for beat and strike", question 6

I feel so sorry for the poor horse! Stop ......... it, please!

(a) whipping
(b) slapping
(c) pounding
(d) striking

English Synonym, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #68 "Synonyms for beat and strike", answer 6

I feel so sorry for the poor horse! Stop whipping it, please!

Correct answer: (a) whipping

Your answer was: incorrect
I feel so sorry for the poor horse! Stop slapping it, please!
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whats the exact meaning of whipping?

Konakis

[Conchita]

Whipping means beating. In this context, to whip is to hit with a whip (long, thin piece of leather fixed to a handle and used for hitting animals). Some people whip horses to make them go faster.

To whip also means to beat sharply: the rain whipped our faces as we walked; meringues are made from whipped egg whites.

In informal English, to whip is to move quickly: she whipped behind the door so that no one could see her.

Other expressions with 'whip' are:

- to whip out: the cowboy whipped out a gun (he pulled it out quickly)

- to have the whiphand, which means to have the advantage

- to whip off is to move or remove quickly: he whipped off before I could stop him; the man whipped off his hat

- to whip round, to turn round quickly

- to have a whip-round (informal), to ask everyone to give some money: we had a whip-round in the office for Tom's wedding present

- to whip up, to encourage/to make (something) increase.