smash
gb/smˈæʃ/ us/smˈæʃ/
B1
English
~ 6900
összetör, szétzúz, nekicsapódik, elver, kiütésesen legyőz, tönkrever, csúnyán megver, elsöprő vereséget mér, fölényesen legyőz, kiüt, lealáz, leiskoláz, nagyot alakít, tarol, király, remekel, nagy siker, kasszasiker, sláger, karambol, ütközés, lecsapás, szmecs, lecsap, befal, betol, megdug, lefekszik
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to smash [something] (against [something])
He got angry and smashed his phone on the floor.
Dühében a földhöz vágta a telefonját, és összetörte.
The kids accidentally smashed the window with a ball.
A gyerekek véletlenül betörték az ablakot egy labdával.
The thief smashed the lock with a hammer and ran inside.
The vase fell off the shelf and smashed into hundreds of tiny pieces.
Learner examples
She dropped the plate and it smashed.
Leejtette a tányért, és az összetört.
He smashed the glass with a stone.
Egy kővel összetörte az üveget.
The bottle smashed when it hit the ground.
They smashed the old TV because it did not work.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"He broke it to pieces"* when they want to show strong force and noise. In many cases, *"He smashed it to pieces"* is more natural for a very violent break.
Meaning
Break something violently into pieces
Collocations
smash a window
|smash a glass
|smash the bottle
|smash to pieces
|smash against the wall
Synonyms
shatter (Emphasizes breaking into many small sharp pieces, especially glass or similar materials.)
Antonyms
repair (Means to fix something that is broken, the opposite of breaking it apart.)
Themes
daily life
|violence
|accidents
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To break something hard into many pieces by hitting it very hard.
To break or damage something so that it separates into many pieces, usually with great force and noise.
VERB
B1
2
nekicsapódik
B2
Usage pattern:
to smash into [something/someone]
The car lost control and smashed into a wall.
Az autó irányíthatatlanná vált, és falnak csapódott.
Two cyclists smashed into each other on the busy road.
Két kerékpáros egymásnak csapódott a forgalmas úton.
The truck failed to stop and smashed into the back of the bus.
A huge wave smashed into the rocks below us.
Learner examples
The bus smashed into a tree.
A busz egy fának csapódott.
He ran too fast and smashed into the door.
Túl gyorsan futott, és nekicsapódott az ajtónak.
Their bikes smashed into each other.
The ball smashed into my face.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"hit into"* instead of *"smashed into"* or *"crashed into"* for strong, violent accidents. Use *"smashed into"* when the impact is especially hard or destructive.
Meaning
Collide violently with something
Collocations
smash into a tree
|smash into each other
|car smashed into
|smash through the barrier
|train smashed into
Synonyms
crash into (Very close in meaning, but more common in neutral descriptions of accidents.)
Antonyms
avoid (Means to prevent hitting something or someone, the opposite of colliding with it.)
Themes
accidents
|transport
|transportation
Definition
To crash hard into something while moving.
To hit something or someone with great force while moving, especially in an accident involving vehicles or people.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to smash [someone/something] (in [competition])
Our team smashed their main rivals 5–0.
A csapatunk 5–0-ra elverte a fő riválisát.
The new party smashed its opponents in the election.
Az új párt elsöprő vereséget mért ellenfeleire a választáson.
She smashed her challenger in a one-sided final.
The home side smashed the visitors in the second half.
Learner examples
They smashed the other team.
Kiütésesen legyőzték a másik csapatot.
Her side smashed their rivals in the game.
Az ő csapata simán elverte a riválisait a meccsen.
Our school team smashed the visitors 4–0.
He trained hard and smashed his opponent.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *"win"* when they want to show a very big or easy win. *"Smash"* gives the idea of a strong, one-sided victory, especially in sports and politics.
Meaning
Defeat an opponent completely
Collocations
smash the opposition
|smash their rivals
|smash the competition
|team smashed their opponents
|smash the record
Synonyms
crush (Slightly stronger and more dramatic; often used in headlines and emotional contexts.)
Antonyms
lose to (Means to be defeated by someone, the opposite role in a competition.)
Themes
sports
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To beat someone very easily in a game, competition, or fight.
To defeat a person, team, or group very easily or by a very large amount, often in sport, competition, or argument.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
to smash [a task/exam/interview]; to smash it
She was nervous, but she absolutely smashed her presentation.
Ideges volt, de a prezentációjával egyszerűen tarolt.
Good luck on your driving test tomorrow—you’re going to smash it.
Sok sikert a holnapi vezetési vizsgádhoz — tarolni fogsz.
The team smashed their fundraising target in just two days.
He studied hard and smashed the exam with a top score.
Learner examples
You did great. You smashed it!
Nagyon jól csináltad. Taroltál!
I think I smashed the test today.
Szerintem ma taroltam a teszten.
She smashed her job interview and got the job.
We smashed our goal of 1,000 followers.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *"smash"* always means to break something. In informal English, *"smash it"* very often means to do something extremely well, not to break it.
Meaning
Do something extremely well
Collocations
smash the exam
|smash the interview
|smash the presentation
|smash the test
|really smashed it
Synonyms
ace (Very informal and positive, especially for tests or performances; similar level of enthusiasm.)
Antonyms
mess up (Informal way to say you did something badly, the opposite of doing it extremely well.)
Themes
success
|informal
|education
|work
Definition
To do something very, very well and be very successful.
To do something extremely well or achieve great success at it, especially an exam, performance, or goal.
NOUN
B1
5
The movie was a smash at the box office.
A film kasszasiker volt.
Her first single became an international smash.
Az első kislemeze nemzetközi sláger lett.
No one expected the low-budget show to be such a smash.
The game was a surprise smash among teenagers.
Learner examples
The new movie is a big smash.
Az új film nagy siker.
Her song was a smash in many countries.
A dala sok országban nagy siker volt.
Their show is a smash on TV.
The video game is a huge smash with kids.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"strong movie"* or *"big movie"* when they mean it was very successful. The natural phrase is *"a smash"* or *"a smash hit"* in entertainment contexts.
Meaning
Very successful show, film, or song
Collocations
a smash hit
|a box-office smash
|a worldwide smash
|a surprise smash
|a chart smash
Synonyms
hit (Most common neutral term; does not sound as strong or excited as 'smash hit'.)
Antonyms
flop (A complete failure, especially for a film or show, the opposite of a smash.)
Themes
entertainment
|media
|arts_entertainment
|business
Definition
A show, film, song, etc. that is very, very popular and successful.
A play, film, song, or other product that is extremely successful and popular.
NOUN
B2
6
Two people were injured in a motorway smash last night.
Tegnap este két ember megsérült egy autópálya-karambolban.
The road was closed after a three-car smash.
Az utat lezárták egy három autót érintő karambol után.
He broke his leg in a motorbike smash.
Police are investigating a fatal rail smash outside the city.
Learner examples
He was hurt in a car smash.
Megsebesült egy autókarambolban.
There was a big smash on the main road.
Nagy karambol történt a főúton.
Three cars were in the smash.
The smash closed the road for many hours.
Common mistake:
Learners often only know the word *"crash"* for road accidents. In news headlines, especially in British English, *"smash"* is also common for serious crashes.
Meaning
Violent crash or collision
Collocations
a car smash
|a fatal smash
|road smash
|rail smash
|involved in a smash
Synonyms
crash (The most common neutral word; 'smash' can sound a bit more dramatic or headline-like.)
Antonyms
near miss (Describes an accident that almost happened but did not, the opposite result of an actual smash.)
Themes
accidents
|transport
|transportation
Definition
A serious crash, usually with cars or other vehicles.
A sudden and violent collision or accident, especially involving vehicles.
NOUN
B2
7
He finished the point with a powerful smash down the line.
Egy erős, vonal menti lecsapással fejezte be a labdamenetet.
Her smash is the strongest part of her game.
A lecsapása a játéka legerősebb része.
The champion hit a perfect backhand smash to win the match.
They practiced serving and then following up with a smash.
Learner examples
She won the point with a strong smash.
Egy erős lecsapással nyerte meg a pontot.
His smash is very fast.
A lecsapása nagyon gyors.
He hit a smash and the ball flew past me.
The coach showed us how to hit a smash.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes call every strong hit a *"serve"*. In tennis and similar sports, a *"smash"* is a specific powerful overhead shot, usually during a rally, not the first shot to start a point.
Meaning
Powerful overhead shot in racket sports
Collocations
hit a smash
|powerful smash
|backhand smash
|forehand smash
|smash winner
Synonyms
spike (Used in volleyball for a similar kind of strong downward hit, not usually in tennis or badminton.)
Antonyms
drop shot (A very soft shot that just goes over the net, the opposite style of a powerful smash.)
Themes
sports
Definition
In tennis or badminton, a very strong hit from above the head down into the other side.
In racket sports such as tennis or badminton, a very hard overhead shot hit sharply downwards towards the opponent’s court.
VERB
B2
8
lecsap
B1
Usage pattern:
to smash [the ball/shuttlecock]
She smashed the ball past her opponent at the net.
A hálónál az ellenfele mellett lecsapta a labdát.
He leapt into the air and smashed the shuttlecock straight down.
Felugrott a levegőbe, és egyenesen lefelé lecsapta a tollaslabdát.
When the ball is high, you should smash it, not tap it.
They practiced smashing the ball to finish points quickly.
Learner examples
He smashed the ball very hard.
Nagyon erősen lecsapta a labdát.
She smashed it and won the point.
Lecsapta, és megnyerte a pontot.
The player smashed the shuttlecock into the court.
You should smash the ball when it is high.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"hit hard"* again and again. In sports English, using the special verb *"smash"* sounds more natural for this specific powerful shot.
Meaning
Hit a ball in a smash
Collocations
smash the ball
|smash it past [someone]
|smash a winner
|smash the shuttlecock
|smash it down the line
Synonyms
spike (Used more in volleyball; 'smash' is standard for racket sports like tennis and badminton.)
Antonyms
lob (Means to hit the ball high and softly over the opponent, opposite direction and style from a smash.)
Themes
sports
Definition
In tennis or badminton, to hit the ball very hard from high in the air down into the other side.
In racket sports such as tennis or badminton, to hit the ball or shuttlecock very hard from above the head, usually downwards into the opponent’s court.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
9
Usage pattern:
to smash [a drink/meal/snack]
We smashed a whole pizza in ten minutes.
Tíz perc alatt befaltunk egy egész pizzát.
He came home starving and smashed three sandwiches.
Farkaséhesen jött haza, és betolt három szendvicset.
Let’s smash a few beers after work.
She could easily smash a giant burger on her own.
Learner examples
We smashed two big pizzas last night.
Tegnap este befaltunk két nagy pizzát.
He was so hungry he smashed his dinner.
Annyira éhes volt, hogy befalta a vacsoráját.
They sat outside and smashed some ice cream.
After the game, the team smashed a big meal.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *"smash"* here still means to break the food. In informal speech, *"smash a burger"* or *"smash a pizza"* means to eat it quickly and happily, not to destroy it without eating.
Meaning
Eat or drink something eagerly and fast
Collocations
smash a burger
|smash a pizza
|smash a beer
|smash some fries
|smash a whole tub of ice cream
Synonyms
devour (More standard and slightly formal; suggests eating very quickly and hungrily.)
Antonyms
sip (Means to drink slowly in small amounts, opposite of quickly consuming something.)
Themes
food
|slang
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
To eat or drink something very fast and with a lot of enjoyment.
To eat or drink something very quickly and with great enthusiasm, often in large amounts.
VERB
C1
SLANG
10
Usage pattern:
to smash [someone]
On social media, people were joking about which celebrity they would smash.
A közösségi médiában azzal viccelődtek, melyik hírességet dugnák meg.
The phrase is common in memes where users say they’d smash or pass different characters.
A kifejezés gyakori azokban a mémekben, ahol a felhasználók különböző karakterekről mondják, hogy „megdugnám” vagy „passz”.
Some people find the way he talks about wanting to smash every girl disrespectful.
Learner examples
In slang, to smash someone means to have sex with them.
A szlengben a „to smash someone” azt jelenti: lefeküdni valakivel, illetve durvábban: megdugni valakit.
Many people use the word smash like this on the internet.
Sokan így használják a smash szót az interneten.
Be careful: saying you want to smash someone can sound rude or sexist.
This slang use of smash is common in jokes and memes.
Common mistake:
Learners may repeat this slang from memes without understanding that it can sound crude, sexist, or disrespectful, especially in serious or mixed company. It should be used, if at all, only in very informal contexts with close friends.
Meaning
Have sex with someone (slang)
Collocations
I’d smash
|smash her
|smash him
|smash that
|smashed last night
Synonyms
hook up with (Slang for having sex or getting together, usually sounds less aggressive than 'smash'.)
Antonyms
avoid (To stay away from someone, especially when you do not want to be involved with them sexually.)
Themes
slang
|relationships
|health
Definition
To have sex with someone; a very informal and sometimes rude slang word.
To have sexual intercourse with someone, especially used in a casual or crude way in internet and youth slang.
Grammar
Dictionary form
smash
IPA
GB/smˈæʃ/
US/smˈæʃ/
Syllables & stress
smash (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (smash)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: smash
- Plural: smashes
Verb
- Base: smash
- 3rd Person Singular: smashes
- Present Participle: smashing
- Past: smashed
Word family
Forms
smashes
noun
smashing
verb
smashed
verb
Related words
smasher
noun
Expressions
a smash success
4/ə smˈæʃ səksˈɛs/
fixed phrase
Event or project that is extremely successful
An event, plan, or project that is extremely successful.
Examples
- The charity event was a smash success.
- Her latest book is a smash success with young readers.
- The product launch turned out to be a smash success.
box-office smash
12/bˈɑks ˈɔfɪs smˈæʃ/
fixed phrase
Extremely successful money-making film
A film that makes a lot of money because many people go to see it in cinemas.
Examples
- The film was a box-office smash despite mixed reviews.
- Disney’s latest release is already a box-office smash.
- Nobody expected the horror movie to become a box-office smash.
smash and grab
6/smˈæʃ ˈænd ɡɹˈæb/
fixed phrase
Quick theft involving breaking in
A fast crime where thieves break a window or door, take things, and leave very quickly.
Examples
- Police are investigating a smash and grab at a jewelry store.
- The shop installed shutters after several smash and grabs.
- Smash and grab raids have risen sharply this year.
smash hit
3/smˈæʃ hˈɪt/
fixed phrase
Extremely successful song, film, or show
A song, film, TV show, etc. that is extremely popular and successful.
Examples
- Their first single was a smash hit around the world.
- The low-budget comedy became a surprise smash hit at the box office.
- That book turned into a smash hit and sold millions of copies.
smash in
9/smˈæʃ ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
Break a door or window inward
To break something like a door or window so it moves inwards.
Examples
- The police smashed in the door and entered the house.
- Protesters smashed in several shop windows.
- He slipped and smashed in the side of the car.
smash into
1/smˈæʃ ˈɪntu/
phrasal verb
Crash violently into something
To crash hard into something while moving.
Examples
- The car skidded on the ice and smashed into a lamppost.
- Two players smashed into each other going for the ball.
- The train smashed into the buffer at low speed.
smash it
5/smˈæʃ ˈɪt/
idiom
informal
Succeed brilliantly at something
To do something extremely well or be very successful at it.
Examples
- Good luck with your interview—you’re going to smash it.
- She absolutely smashed it on stage last night.
- The team smashed it and finished the project ahead of schedule.
smash out
10/smˈæʃ ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
informal
Produce something quickly and roughly
To make or write something quickly, without taking a lot of time or care.
Examples
- They smashed out three new songs in a week.
- I just need to smash out this report before lunch.
- The writer smashed out a first draft overnight.
smash someone’s face in
15/smˈæʃ sˈʌmwˌʌnz fˈeɪs ˈɪn/
idiom
informal
Beat someone’s face very badly
To hit someone’s face very hard and many times, so it is badly hurt; usually said as a threat.
Examples
- He threatened to smash his face in if he came back.
- The gang shouted that they would smash his face in.
- It’s a violent film; at one point they nearly smash his face in.
smash the glass ceiling
11/smˈæʃ ðə ɡlˈæs sˈilɪŋ/
idiom
Break invisible limits blocking advancement
To end unfair rules or habits that stop women or other groups from getting top jobs.
Examples
- She smashed the glass ceiling by becoming the company’s first female CEO.
- The campaign aims to help more women smash the glass ceiling in politics.
- Her election is seen as another step in smashing the glass ceiling.
smash the patriarchy
14/smˈæʃ ðə pˈeɪtɹiˌɑɹki/
idiom
informal
End male-dominated power structures
To fight against and try to end systems where men have more power than women.
Examples
- Protesters carried signs saying “Smash the patriarchy.”
- The slogan ‘smash the patriarchy’ is common in feminist movements.
- Her speech called on people to smash the patriarchy and support equality.
smash through
7/smˈæʃ θɹˈu/
phrasal verb
Break a barrier and pass through
To hit something like a wall or gate so hard that you go through it.
Examples
- The truck smashed through the fence and into the garden.
- The hero smashes through the window to rescue her.
- Floodwaters smashed through the dam overnight.
smash to pieces
8/smˈæʃ tə pˈisɪz/
idiom
Break something completely into pieces
To break something so much that there are many separate small parts.
Examples
- The bowl fell and smashed to pieces on the floor.
- The explosion smashed the windows to pieces.
- He threatened to smash the computer to pieces.
smash to smithereens
13/smˈæʃ tə smˌɪðɚˈinz/
idiom
Break something into tiny pieces
To break something into very, very small pieces.
Examples
- The rock smashed the statue to smithereens.
- The blast smashed the old car to smithereens.
- If you drop that, it will smash to smithereens.
smash up
2/smˈæʃ ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
informal
Damage something badly by breaking it
To break something badly so that it is very damaged.
Examples
- Vandals smashed up several cars on the street.
- The bar was completely smashed up after the fight.
- The storm smashed up the old pier along the coast.
summer smash
16/sˈʌmɚ smˈæʃ/
fixed phrase
Very popular summer song or film
A song or film that many people love and play a lot in the summer.
Examples
- Their new single is tipped to be the summer smash of the year.
- Radio stations are already calling it the latest summer smash.
- The track became a global summer smash within weeks.