smash

smash¹ [smæʃ] v

↑calculator, ↑hammer

[Date: 1600-1700; Origin: Perhaps from smack + mash]

1.) [I and T]

to break into pieces violently or noisily, or to make something do this by dropping, throwing, or hitting it

▪ Vandals had smashed all the windows.

▪ Firemen had to smash the lock to get in.

▪ Several cups fell to the floor and smashed to pieces .

2.) [I,T always + adverb/preposition]

to hit an object or surface violently, or to make something do this

▪ A stolen car smashed into the bus.

▪ He smashed his fist down on the table.

3.) smash a record

to do something much faster, better etc than anyone has done before

▪ The film smashed all box office records.

4.) [T]

to destroy something such as a political system or criminal organization

▪ Police say they have smashed a major crime ring.

5.) [T]

to hit a high ball with a strong downward action, in tennis or similar games

smash down [smash sth<=>down] phr v

to hit a door, wall etc violently so that it falls to the ground

smash in [smash sth<=>in] phr v

to hit something so violently that you break it and make a hole in it

▪ The door had been smashed in.

smash sb's face/head in

(=hit someone hard in the face or head)

▪ I'll smash his head in if he comes here again!

smash up [smash sth<=>up] phr v

to deliberately destroy something by hitting it

▪ Hooligans started smashing the place up.

smash ²

smash² n

1.) BrE

a serious road or railway accident - used especially in newspapers

= ↑crash

▪ Young boy hurt in car smash.

2.) also smash hit

a new film, song etc which is very successful

▪ a box-office smash (=a film which many people go to see at the cinema)

3.)

a hard downward shot in tennis or similar games

4.) [singular]

the loud sound of something breaking

smash of

▪ He heard the smash of glass.