trounce them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trounce them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to defeating someone decisively or overwhelmingly, often in a competitive context such as sports or debates. Example: "In the championship game, our team managed to trounce them with a score of 5-0."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

(The Persians — like Odysseus with the Cyclops — get them drunk and then trounce them).

The New Yorker

It has left us convinced that the only way to get one over on the Yanks is to trounce them on the ice.

The Guardian - Opinion

4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS There may be filmgoers who still harbor a footling prejudice against tales of Romanian abortion; in which case, here is the way to trounce them.

The New Yorker

May's cabinet is actually quite intellectually weak and the big hitters on the left, if rehabilitated, would trounce them, reinvigorating mass public support because they could see that there was a clear choice again.

The Guardian - Opinion

If Google doesn't trounce them first.

TechCrunch

But next year's hotspot just may trounce them both with its mix of stunning beaches, historic towns, vibrant cities and lush islands.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Indeed, it repeatedly trounced them.

The New York Times

How could they, after he had so thoroughly trounced them?

The New Yorker

Monarchos trounced them all, including favorites with far more experience.

The New Yorker

St . Louiswas the Mets' Opening Day opponent in New York's inaugural season, 1962, trouncing them, 11 4.

The New Yorker

The Celtics accelerated the holiday season departure of the Nets' coach, Avery Johnson, by trouncing them.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trounce them" to vividly describe a situation where one side has overwhelmingly defeated another, especially in competitive scenarios. For instance, "Our team trounced them in the final round, securing the championship."

Common error

Avoid using "trounce them" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable in news and general contexts, more sophisticated language may be appropriate for scholarly publications or official reports.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trounce them" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. It describes the action of decisively defeating someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trounce them" is a grammatically sound and effective way to describe a decisive victory. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While most commonly found in news and media contexts, it's essential to consider the level of formality when choosing to use this phrase. For more formal settings, alternatives like "defeat them soundly" or "overwhelm them" may be more suitable. This phrase effectively communicates a significant win, adding vividness to the description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defeat them soundly

Emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of the defeat.

overwhelm them

Focuses on the intensity and force of the victory.

beat them decisively

Highlights the clear and unquestionable nature of the victory.

vanquish them

A more formal and literary way to express complete defeat.

crush them

Implies a forceful and destructive defeat.

rout them

Suggests a disorganized and chaotic defeat.

thrash them

An informal term implying a severe beating or defeat.

wipe the floor with them

An idiomatic expression indicating a one-sided victory.

make mincemeat of them

Suggests an effortless and complete destruction of the opponent.

totally dominate them

Emphasizes the control and superiority of the victor.

FAQs

What does "trounce them" mean?

The phrase "trounce them" means to defeat someone decisively or overwhelmingly. It implies a significant victory with a clear margin.

What can I say instead of "trounce them"?

You can use alternatives like "defeat them soundly", "overwhelm them", or "beat them decisively" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "trounce them" in formal writing?

While "trounce them" is acceptable in general contexts, it may be too informal for academic or highly professional writing. Consider using more formal alternatives in those situations.

How do you use "trounce them" in a sentence?

Example: "Our team worked hard and managed to trounce them in the championship game."