smash

 
Pronunciation: /smaʃ/

verb

  • 1 [with object] violently break (something) into pieces: the thief smashed a window to get into the car gone are the days when he smashed up hotels
  • [no object] be violently broken into pieces; shatter: the glass ball smashed instantly on the pavement
  • violently knock down or crush inwards: soldiers smashed down doors
  • crash and severely damage (a vehicle): my Land Rover’s been smashed up
  • hit or attack (someone) very violently: Donald smashed him over the head
  • easily or comprehensively beat (a record): he smashed the course record
  • completely defeat, destroy, or foil (something regarded as hostile or dangerous): a deliberate attempt to smash the trade union movement
  • [no object] informal, dated (of a business) go bankrupt; fail financially: a firm that had smashed for so tremendous an amount
  • 2 [no object, with adverbial of direction] move so as to hit or collide with something with great force and impact: their plane smashed into a mountainside
  • [with object and adverbial of direction] (in sport) strike (the ball) or score (a goal, run, etc.) with great force: he smashed home the Tranmere winner
  • [with object] (in tennis, badminton, and similar sports) strike (the ball or shuttlecock) downwards with a hard overarm volley.

noun

  • 1an act or sound of something smashing: he heard the smash of glass
  • British a violent collision or impact between vehicles: a car smash
  • a violent blow: a forearm smash
  • a stroke in tennis, badminton, and similar sports in which the ball or shuttlecock is hit downwards with a hard overarm volley.
  • 2 (also smash hit) informal a very successful song, film, show, or performer: a box office smash
  • 3a mixture of spirits (typically brandy) with flavoured water and ice.
  • 4 informal, dated a bankruptcy or financial failure.

adverb

  • with a sudden, violent shattering: they were together for an instant, and then smash it was all gone

Phrases

go to smash

informal, dated be ruined or destroyed: he sees the community going to smash

Origin:

early 18th century (as a noun): probably imitative, representing a blend of words such as smack, smite with bash, mash, etc.