鞭むちをくれる

expression, ichidan verb (kureru class)

to whip; to lash; to give the rod

Literal meaning: to strike someone with a whip as punishment or to drive them on. The use of くれる implies the action is done by someone else for the speaker or in-group, often with a nuance of receiving a harsh treatment.

• 昔むかしの船せん長ちょうは、怠なまけた船せん員いんに鞭むちをくれた。

  The old captain would whip lazy sailors.

• 彼かれは馬うまに鞭むちをくれて、全ぜん速そく力りょくで走はしらせた。

  He whipped the horse and made it run at full speed.

expression, ichidan verb (kureru class)

to spur on; to encourage

Idiomatic use: to push someone to greater effort, often through harsh words or strict discipline. The image is of using a whip metaphorically to motivate.

• 監かん督とくは選せん手しゅたちに鞭むちをくれて、もっと練れん習しゅうさせた。

  The coach spurred the players on and made them practice more.

• 彼かれの厳きびしい言こと葉ばが、私わたしに鞭むちをくれた。

  His harsh words spurred me on.