scourge
n
1 whip for flogging people (用以打人的)鞭子.
2 (fig 比喻) person or thing that causes suffering 造成灾难的人或事物
The new boss was the scourge of the inefficient. 新老板来了以後, 不称职的人就遭殃了.
the scourge of war 战争的苦难. scourge, v [Tn]
1 flog (sb) with a scourge 鞭打(某人).
2 (fml 文) cause (sb) to suffer 使(某人)受痛苦
scourged by guilt 受内疚的煎熬.