squash
gb/skwˈɑʃ/ us/skwˈɑʃ/
A2
English
összenyom, szétlapít, tök, elfojt, eloszlat, meghiúsít, fallabda, squash, szörp, zsúfoltság, tömegnyomor, beprésel, beszuszakol, bezsúfol
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
squash [something] (with/under/against [something])
I accidentally squashed the sandwich in my bag.
Véletlenül összenyomtam a szendvicset a táskámban.
Don’t squash the flowers—carry them upright.
Ne nyomd össze a virágokat – állítva vidd őket.
The package got squashed during delivery.
Learner examples
I squashed the paper into a ball.
Galacsinná gyűrtem a papírt.
He squashed the bug.
Szétlapította a bogarat.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with "squeeze" (apply pressure without necessarily damaging) or "crush" (often implies completely destroying).
Meaning
crush or press flat
Collocations
squash a bug
|squash a tomato
|squash the bread
|get squashed
|squash it flat
|squash underfoot
|squash in your hand
|squash between two objects
|squash the box
|squash the can
Synonyms
crush (Often implies more complete destruction than squash.)
|
flatten (Focuses on making something flat, not necessarily by force.)
|
compress (More technical; emphasizes reducing volume.)
Antonyms
inflate (Make larger by filling with air or gas.)
|
expand (Increase in size or volume.)
Themes
daily_life
|physical_actions
Definition
To press something hard so it becomes flat.
To press or squeeze something with force so that it becomes flat, damaged, or out of shape.
NOUN
A2
2
tök
A2
Usage pattern:
(a) squash; [type] squash
We roasted butternut squash with olive oil and herbs.
Olívaolajjal és zöldfűszerekkel sütöttünk sütőtököt.
This soup is made with squash and carrots.
Ez a leves tökből és sárgarépából készül.
I bought a couple of squash at the market.
Learner examples
I like squash soup.
Szeretem a töklevest.
We cooked squash for dinner.
Tököt készítettünk vacsorára.
Common mistake:
In American English, "squash" often refers to the vegetable; in British English, "squash" can also mean a soft drink (see other meaning).
Meaning
a gourd-like vegetable
Collocations
butternut squash
|summer squash
|winter squash
|yellow squash
|roast squash
|squash soup
|squash purée
|stuffed squash
|squash seeds
|squash blossoms
Synonyms
gourd (Broader category; includes non-edible varieties.)
Themes
food
|cooking
Definition
A kind of vegetable like zucchini or pumpkin.
Any of several gourd-like vegetables with edible flesh, such as zucchini (courgette), butternut squash, or pumpkin.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
squash [a plan/rumor/rebellion/question]
The company moved quickly to squash the rumors.
A cég gyorsan lépett, hogy eloszlassa a pletykákat.
The minister tried to squash criticism with a short statement.
A miniszter egy rövid nyilatkozattal próbálta elfojtani a kritikát.
Police were accused of squashing peaceful protests.
Learner examples
They squashed the plan.
Meghiúsították a tervet.
She tried to squash the rumor.
Megpróbálta eloszlatni a pletykát.
Common mistake:
This meaning is about stopping an idea or event, not physically crushing an object.
Meaning
stop something from happening
Collocations
squash a rumor
|squash speculation
|squash an idea
|squash a plan
|squash a protest
|squash dissent
|quickly squash
|attempt to squash
|move to squash
|squash the story
Synonyms
quash (More formal; often used for legal cases or official actions.)
|
suppress (Often suggests using authority or force to stop something.)
|
stamp out (Emphasizes eliminating something completely, often something harmful.)
Antonyms
encourage (Support something so it grows or continues.)
|
promote (Actively help something spread or succeed.)
Themes
work
|news_media
|law
|politics
Definition
To stop something before it grows or continues.
To stop an activity, plan, protest, or idea from continuing or developing, especially quickly and firmly.
NOUN
B1
4
Usage pattern:
play squash; a game of squash
I play squash twice a week after work.
Hetente kétszer fallabdázom munka után.
They booked a squash court for Saturday morning.
Lefoglaltak egy fallabdapályát szombat reggelre.
Her brother competes in local squash tournaments.
Learner examples
We play squash on Fridays.
Péntekenként fallabdázunk.
He likes squash.
Szereti a fallabdát.
Common mistake:
Not to be confused with the vegetable "squash"; context usually makes it clear (e.g., "play squash").
Meaning
the racquet sport squash
Collocations
play squash
|a squash match
|a game of squash
|squash court
|squash racquet
|squash ball
|squash club
|squash league
|competitive squash
|professional squash
Themes
sports
|fitness
Definition
A sport played in a closed court with racquets and a small ball.
A fast indoor racquet sport played by two (or four) players in an enclosed court, hitting a small rubber ball against the walls.
NOUN
B2
5
szörp
A2
Usage pattern:
(a) squash; [flavor] squash
Do you want some blackcurrant squash with ice?
Kérsz jeges feketeribizli-szörpöt?
She poured a little squash into the glass and topped it up with water.
Egy kevés szörpöt öntött a pohárba, majd felengedte vízzel.
We keep squash in the cupboard for the kids.
Learner examples
I drank orange squash.
Narancsszörpöt ittam.
Mix the squash with water.
Hígítsd fel a szörpöt vízzel.
Common mistake:
In American English this meaning is uncommon; "squash" usually means the vegetable or the sport.
Meaning
sweet fruit drink concentrate
Collocations
orange squash
|lemon squash
|blackcurrant squash
|drink squash
|dilute squash
|a glass of squash
|squash concentrate
|sugar-free squash
|cordial squash
|add water to the squash
Synonyms
cordial (Common in UK English; often the same type of drink.)
Themes
food
|daily_life
Definition
A sweet fruit drink that you mix with water (UK).
A sweet concentrated fruit drink that is mixed with water before drinking (common in the UK and some other varieties of English).
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
6
zsúfoltság
B1
tömegnyomor
B2
Usage pattern:
a (bit of a) squash (in [place])
It was a bit of a squash on the bus this morning.
Ma reggel elég nagy volt a zsúfoltság a buszon.
Getting everyone into the photo was a real squash.
Alaposan össze kellett zsúfolódnunk, hogy mindenki ráférjen a fotóra.
The bar was such a squash that we left early.
Learner examples
The train was a squash.
Nagy volt a zsúfoltság a vonaton.
It was a bit of a squash.
Kicsit szűkösen voltunk.
Common mistake:
Often used with "a bit of a" in informal British English; in other varieties it may sound unusual.
Meaning
a crowded, cramped situation
Collocations
a bit of a squash
|a real squash
|a squash on the train
|an uncomfortable squash
|a squash in the lift
|a squash in the doorway
Synonyms
crush (Common noun for a crowd pressing together; more widely used than "a squash".)
|
squeeze (Emphasizes tightness, often temporary.)
Antonyms
space (Plenty of room; not crowded.)
|
roominess (Comfortable amount of space.)
Themes
daily_life
|travel
Definition
An uncomfortable crowded situation.
A situation where too many people or things are pressed into a small space, making it uncomfortable.
VERB
B2
7
Usage pattern:
squash into [place]; squash [someone/something] into [place]
We squashed into the taxi with our luggage.
Bepréselődtünk a taxiba a csomagjainkkal együtt.
They squashed five people onto the tiny sofa.
Öt embert is bezsúfoltak az apró kanapéra.
I managed to squash my coat into the backpack.
Learner examples
We squashed into the car.
Bepréselődtünk az autóba.
She squashed her clothes into the bag.
Beszuszakolta a ruháit a táskába.
Common mistake:
This meaning is about tight space, not damaging an object (though things may get damaged).
Meaning
fit tightly into a space
Collocations
squash into the car
|squash into a seat
|squash onto the sofa
|squash in
|squash together
|squash everyone into one room
|squash your bag under the seat
|squash in the back
|squash onto a bench
|squash into the lift
Synonyms
squeeze (Most common for fitting into a tight space; less forceful than squash.)
|
cram (Suggests forcing in a lot, often untidily.)
Antonyms
stretch out (Lie or sit with plenty of room.)
|
spread out (Take up more space; not crowded together.)
Themes
daily_life
|travel
Definition
To get into a small space with difficulty.
To force yourself or something into a small space so that it fits tightly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
squash
IPA
GB/skwˈɑʃ/
US/skwˈɑʃ/
Syllables & stress
squash (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (squash)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: squash
- Plural: squash, squashes
Verb
- Base: squash
- 3rd Person Singular: squashes
- Present Participle: squashing
- Past: squashed
Expressions
squash in
1/skwˈɑʃ ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
informal
crowd into a small space
To get in even though it is crowded.
Examples
- If you squash in, we can all fit in the back.
- He squashed in next to me on the crowded train.
- Two more people tried to squash in before the doors closed.
Learner examples
- I can squash in.
- He squashed in beside her.
squash into
1/skwˈɑʃ ˈɪntu/
fixed phrase
force into a tight space
To fit into a space with difficulty.
Examples
- We squashed into the last row of seats.
- She squashed the last few books into the box.
- I squashed into the elevator just before the doors shut.
Learner examples
- We squashed into the bus.
- He squashed it into his bag.
squash it
1/skwˈɑʃ ˈɪt/
fixed phrase
informal
stop it immediately
To stop something right away.
Examples
- There’s gossip going around—let’s squash it before it spreads.
- As soon as the argument started, she stepped in to squash it.
- If that idea won’t work, squash it and move on.
Learner examples
- Let’s squash it.
- We should squash it now.
squash someone like a bug
1/skwˈɑʃ sˈʌmwˌʌn lˈaɪk ə bˈʌɡ/
idiom
informal
crush or defeat completely
To destroy or defeat very easily.
Examples
- With one step, he could have squashed the insect like a bug.
- The bigger company threatened to squash the startup like a bug.
- In the final, they squashed their opponents like bugs.
squash the beef
1/skwˈɑʃ ðə bˈif/
idiom
slang
end a conflict or feud
To end a serious argument or conflict and make peace.
Examples
- The two artists met in private to squash the beef.
- They finally squashed the beef and shook hands on stage.
squash the beef
1/skwˈɑʃ ðə bˈif/
idiom
slang
settle a conflict
To stop fighting and make peace.
Examples
- They finally met up to squash the beef after months of arguing.
- If you want to squash the beef, just apologize and move on.
- He called her to squash the beef before the event.
squash up
1/skwˈɑʃ ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
informal
move closer to make room
To move closer so others can fit.
Examples
- Can you squash up so I can sit down?
- We all squashed up at the end of the bench.
- The kids squashed up against the window to look outside.
Learner examples
- Please squash up.
- We squashed up on the seat.