lam out
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To hit out hard in all directions, usually in anger.
Literal meaning: 'Lam' means to beat or strike, so 'lam out' means to strike outward.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To strike out aggressively, especially in anger or desperation.
"Cornered and frightened, the animal lammed out at anyone who came near."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Rare in modern English. 'Lash out' has largely replaced this expression. May appear in older texts or very informal regional speech. The sense is of reacting violently or angrily.
Commonly used with
anger frustration crowd attacker fist
Forms
Base
lam out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lams out
he/she/it
Past simple
lamed out
yesterday
Past participle
lamed out
have + pp
-ing form
laming out
continuous
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