skunking

Skunking refers to the act of intentionally preventing an opponent from scoring any points in a game. This term is most commonly used in sports, particularly in baseball and bowling.

In baseball, a pitcher is said to have "skunked" the opposing team if they achieve a shutout, meaning the other team fails to score any runs throughout the entire game. This is considered a significant accomplishment for a pitcher or a pitching staff.

In bowling, a skunk occurs when a player defeats their opponent by a margin of at least 100 pins, and the losing player has scored fewer than 150 pins. This signifies a very lopsided victory.

The term "skunking" can also be applied metaphorically to other competitive situations where one party completely dominates another, preventing them from achieving any success or positive outcome. The origin of the term in this context is thought to relate to the unpleasantly overwhelming nature of a skunk's spray, implying a decisive and perhaps embarrassing defeat.