wallop
B2-C1 (moderately low frequency, familiar to proficient users)Informal, colloquial, occasionally humorous.
Definition
Meaning
To hit or strike someone or something very hard and noisily.
To defeat someone decisively in a contest; (informal) to experience a sudden, severe impact or consequence; also, can refer to alcoholic drink, especially beer.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb strongly implies forceful, heavy, and often noisy impact. The noun form meaning 'a blow' or 'beer' is also informal and regionally variable.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun meaning 'beer' (e.g., 'a pint of wallop') is chiefly British slang. The verb is understood in both varieties but might be perceived as slightly more British in flavour.
Connotations
In both, it conveys a sense of crude, satisfying force. In the UK, it can have a playful, nostalgic quality (e.g., in comics).
Frequency
More frequent in UK English, especially in spoken and informal written contexts (sports reporting, tabloids).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] wallop [Object][Subject] wallop [Object] [Prepositional Phrase (e.g., on the chin)][Subject] pack a wallopVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pack a wallop (to have a powerful effect or punch)”
- “Wallop the daylights out of someone”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might appear metaphorically: 'The new regulations will pack a real wallop for small businesses.'
Academic
Extremely rare; considered too informal.
Everyday
Used in storytelling about fights, sports, or accidents: 'He walloped the ball over the fence.'
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- That comment packed quite a psychological wallop.
- Fancy a glass of this local wallop?
- He gave the door a good wallop to open it.
American English
- The film's finale has a real emotional wallop.
- The stock market took a severe wallop yesterday.
- One good wallop with the hammer should do it.
verb
British English
- The boxer walloped his opponent with a mighty right hook.
- I'll wallop you if you don't stop messing about!
- He walloped the cricket ball into the car park.
American English
- The hurricane walloped the Florida coast.
- Our team got walloped 42-10 in the playoffs.
- She walloped the piñata until it burst.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The big dog jumped up and walloped me with its paws.
- He gave the ball a hard wallop.
- The new tax policy will pack a serious wallop for high earners.
- She threatened to wallop him if he broke another vase.
- Despite its whimsical appearance, the novel packs a profound philosophical wallop.
- The champion walloped the upstart contender in three bruising rounds.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a WALL falling OPer you — that's a real WALLOP!
Conceptual Metaphor
FORCE IS A PHYSICAL IMPACT (e.g., 'The news packed an emotional wallop').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'волок' (drag/pull). The sound is similar but meaning unrelated. The closest Russian equivalents for the verb are 'огреть', 'влепить', 'надавать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing, overusing it as a synonym for any kind of 'hit', incorrect preposition ('wallop at someone' should be 'wallop someone').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'wallop' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's informal and can be playful or humorous, but not offensive. It's not suitable for formal contexts.
Yes, especially in the phrase 'pack a wallop,' meaning to have a powerful effect (e.g., an emotional, financial, or rhetorical impact).
It is recognised British slang but is somewhat dated and colloquial. It's not the primary meaning for most speakers.
Both mean a hard hit. 'Wallop' often implies a heavier, duller, more resounding blow, while 'whack' can suggest a sharper, quicker strike. They are largely interchangeable in informal use.