slug
2
[ sluhg ]
/ slʌg /
verb (used with object), slugged, slug·ging.
to strike heavily; hit hard, especially with the fist.
to hit or drive (a baseball) very hard or a great distance.
verb (used without object), slugged, slug·ging.
to hit or be capable of hitting hard.
to trudge, fight, or push onward, as against obstacles or through mud or snow: The infantry slugged up the hill and dug in.
noun
a hard blow or hit, especially with a fist or baseball bat.
Idioms for slug
- to fight, especially with fists, until a decisive victory has been achieved.
- to succeed or survive by constant and intense struggle.
slug it out,
Origin of slug
2
1820–30; orig. in phrase
hit with a slug; see
slug1
Words nearby slug
British Dictionary definitions for slug it out (1 of 3)
slug
1
/ (slʌɡ) /
noun
any of various terrestrial gastropod molluscs of the genera Limax, Arion, etc, in which the body is elongated and the shell is absent or very much reduced
Compare sea slug Related adjective: limacine
any of various other invertebrates having a soft slimy body, esp the larvae of certain sawflies
informal, mainly US and Canadian
a slow-moving or lazy person or animal
Word Origin for slug
C15 (in the sense: a slow person or animal): probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian (dialect)
sluggje
British Dictionary definitions for slug it out (2 of 3)
slug
2
/ (slʌɡ) /
noun
Word Origin for slug
C17 (bullet), C19 (printing): perhaps from
slug
1, with allusion to the shape of the animal
British Dictionary definitions for slug it out (3 of 3)
slug
3
/ (slʌɡ) /
verb slugs, slugging or slugged
to hit very hard and solidly, as in boxing
(intr) US and Canadian
to plod as if through snow
(tr) Australian and NZ informal
to charge (someone) an exorbitant price
slug it out informal
to fight, compete, or struggle with fortitude
noun
an act of slugging; heavy blow
Australian and NZ informal
an exorbitant charge or price
Word Origin for slug
C19: perhaps from
slug ² (bullet)