To hit someone or something hard and repeatedly; to defeat someone completely in a competition or fight.
Of uncertain origin, possibly from Yiddish 'klap' (blow) or onomatopoeia. It emerged in English slang in the early 20th century, particularly in military and sports contexts.
Military slang often becomes mainstream slang—'clobber' was originally military jargon for pounding the enemy, and now it's what sports commentators say when one team destroys another 50-0.
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