bushwhackv.
U.S.
To act as a bushwhacker; to beat the bush; to attack or kill in the manner of a bushwhacker (sense 2).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)]
assail?c1225
to set on ——c1290
saila1300
to turn one's handc1325
lashc1330
to set against ——c1330
impugnc1384
offendc1385
weighc1386
checka1400
to lay at?a1400
havec1400
to set at ——c1430
fraya1440
rehetea1450
besail1460
fray1465
tuilyie1487
assaulta1500
enterprise?1510
invade1513
sturt1513
attempt1546
lay1580
tilt1589
to fall aboard——1593
yoke1596
to let into1598
to fall foul1602
attack1655
do1780
to go in at1812
to pitch into ——1823
tackle1828
vampire1832
bushwhack1837
to go for ——1838
take1864
pile1867
volcano1867
to set about ——1879
vampirize1888
to get stuck into1910
to take to ——1911
weigh1941
rugby-tackle1967
rugger-tackle1967
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > act or do vigorously [verb (intransitive)]
twig1573
to go at ——1675
to go it1794
to come it1796
to lay it on thick1806
to blaze away1826
bushwhack1837
steam1842
split1844
rustle1882
to work like a demon1884
yank1888
go-at-it1904
to go somea1911
to put a jerk in it1919
to go (also do) one's (also a) dinger1923
to work (etc.) one's ass off1924
to go to town1933
to gie (or give) it laldy1974
1837 Fraser's Mag. 16 613 The Colonel had begun to make a speech, or, as he phrases it, ‘to bushwhack in the most approved style’.
1866 J. E. H. Skinner After Storm I. 234 While peaceable citizens were robbed with impunity and government officers were bushwhacked.
1877 G. Fleming Mirage III. viii. 212 A good many men were missing, shot or bushwhacked, we did not know which.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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