Chinese water torture
Definition of Chinese water torture
: a form of torture in which a person is restrained and subjected to repetitive drips of water on the forehead I heard beeping for two days … It was driving me crazy like Chinese water torture. — Carol Kallberg, Daily Record (Wooster, Ohio), 14 Oct. 2012 —often used figuratively Better to execute layoffs quickly and decisively, experts say … The alternate—the drip-drip-drip of repeated downsizings—is a Chinese water torture that kills morale and productivity. — Daniel McGinn, Newsweek, 25 June 2001
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
First Known Use of chinese water torture
1892
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up Chinese water torture? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!