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."
inseparable
lam out
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
To strike out at someone or something with force; to hit out aggressively.
In plain English
To hit out hard in all directions, usually in anger.
What does "lam out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
'Lam' means to beat or strike, so 'lam out' means to strike outward.
Actually means
To hit out hard in all directions, usually in anger.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "lam out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
anger frustration crowd attacker fist
How to conjugate "lam out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "lam out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "lam out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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