crucify

present singular third person crucifies · participle present crucifying · participle past crucified · past crucified

1. transitiveTo execute (a person) by nailing to a cross.
2. excessivetransitiveTo punish or otherwise express extreme anger at, especially as a scapegoat or target of outrage.

   After his public gaffe, he was crucified in the media.

   2 more examples

   Having behind us the commercial interests and the laboring interests and all the toiling masses, we shall answer their demands for a gold standard by saying to them, you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.

   1896 July 9, William Jennings Bryan, Cross of Gold speech

   I crucify myself, nothing I do is good enough for you / I crucify myself every day

   1992, Tori Amos, “Crucify”

3. excessiveinformaltransitivehobbiesTo thoroughly beat at a sport or game.

   West Ham beat Manchester City five nil–they crucified them!