What does leathering mean?
“Leathering” most commonly means a severe beating or thrashing. It is especially natural in the informal expressions “take a leathering” and “give someone a leathering,” which describe someone receiving a thorough punishment, physically or, figuratively, in a competition. The word has a connection with leather because the older verb “to leather” meant to beat or whip someone with a leather implement. More rarely, “leathering” refers to making leather or covering an object with it, as in the leathering of a handle or case. Although the word is not extremely common, it remains vivid and useful because it combines a concrete historical image with the broader idea of intense punishment. Its figurative use can describe a decisive defeat, although “thrashing” and “beating” are generally more neutral choices in formal writing.
nounA beating, thrashing, or severe physical punishment. By extension, it can mean the process of making leather or covering an object with leather.
- A beating, thrashing, or severe physical punishment.
- The process of making leather or covering an object with leather.
"The boxer took a severe leathering after the fight."
"The boxer took a severe leathering after the fight."
"The workshop specializes in leathering the handles of walking sticks."
Plural forms are uncommon because the word is normally used in singular constructions such as “a severe leathering.”
"The champion received several leatherings before the tournament ended."
To give someone a leathering is to give them a severe beating—a vivid link between leather and punishment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does leathering come from?
The word combines the verbal use of “leather,” meaning to beat or whip with leather, with the suffix “-ing,” which forms a gerund and, by extension, a noun for the action. In the more literal sense of making or covering something with leather, it likewise derives from “leather” and the same suffix. Related words include “leathery,” meaning leather-like in texture.
Related word forms
How leathering is actually used
The sense of a beating is informal and strongly figurative, especially in the expressions “take a leathering” and “give someone a leathering.” The process or covering sense is less common.