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to dash

to dash

7 1.8
To break something violently into pieces
  • verb
  • /dæʃ/
translation icon : estrellar
  • In a fit of rage, he dashed the fragile vase against the floor, shattering it into pieces.

Examples

  • I wanted to dash the vial of soothing potion against a rock, for I could feel peaceful death.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • This made Dorothy so very angry... that she picked up the bucket of water that stood near... and dashed it all over the wicked witch.

  • -He may dash us to pieces.

  • To dash me to pieces on the rocks of this...

  • I also wish to dash his body, form, cadaver, into the sea.

  • The animal was dashed against some rocks and killed.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Suddenly a cable breaks, and the horse is dashed to the ground but it's not hurt.

  • Suddenly he leapt up, grabbed his coffee cup, and dashed it against my living room wall.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Most of them were dashed against the bilge keel and fell crippled into the sea.

  • Up and down I was ducked, alternately breathing and drowning, torn by thorns, or dashed against river stones.

    Fiction book (1999)

Synonyms

to crash
vsto dash
481 2.2

To hit something with great force and cause damage

focuses on throwing items to break them rather than colliding into objects
to crush
vsto dash
401 1.6

To press something hard so it breaks or loses its shape

relies on throwing to break rather than compressing or squeezing actions
to smash
vsto dash
311 2.1

To break something into many pieces using great force

focuses on breaking by throwing objects to make them break
to wreck
vsto dash
225 2.9

To badly damage or destroy something

is more about breaking by throwing to make objects shatter violently
to snap
vsto dash
167 2.3

Break suddenly and completely, often with a sharp noise

breaks by throwing items so they break violently rather than simply crack
to bash
vsto dash
  • NSFW
73 2.9

To hit someone or something very hard

usually involves throwing to break things rather than only striking them
to shatter
vsto dash
72 2.8

To break suddenly into many small pieces, like glass

involves breaking by throwing rather than only producing many tiny fragments
to bust up
vsto dash
  • Informal
34 5.8

To break something into pieces by hitting it hard

commonly done by throwing objects to cause the break
to bash in
vsto dash
  • NSFW
13 7.5

Hit something hard so it breaks or opens

does breaking by throwing objects to produce the destructive effect
to to smash
vsto dash
11 4.1

To completely destroy something, often hopes or plans

is more physical, involving throwing objects to make them break
to rend
vsto dash
10 8.7

To pull something apart with great force

is about breaking by impact or throwing rather than tearing actions
to bang up
vsto dash
  • Informal
8 7.6

Damage something badly, often by hitting or dropping it

more about breaking by throwing items to cause immediate destruction
to stave
vsto dash
6 8.5

To break a hole in an object by hitting or crushing it

breaks objects by throwing them to cause general breakage not only holes
to smash up
vsto dash
  • Informal
5 4.7

To damage something very badly so it breaks into pieces

often involves throwing to shatter rather than only hitting
to hurtle
vsto dash
5 7.0

To throw something with great force and speed

adds the idea of causing the object to break on impact rather than just throw
to wallop
vsto dash
  • Informal
2 7.3

To hit something or someone very hard

is typically about throwing items to cause breakage rather than striking
to swack
vsto dash
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To hit someone or something hard

centers on throwing to break objects instead of only striking them
to frag
vsto dash
  • Slang
1 9.1

To break something into pieces

differs by centering on throwing objects to create the destruction
to ram down
vsto dash
1 7.1

To force something down by hitting it hard

focuses on causing breakage by throwing rather than forcing items downward
to busticate
vsto dash
  • Slang
9.9

Make something stop working by hitting or dropping it

is similar but often involves throwing items to cause the break

Antonyms

496 3.4

To keep people and things safe from harm or change

Idioms

to cut a dash
  • Informal
7.2

To attract attention by looking smart and stylish

dash it
  • Archaic
9.2

A short mild word people say when they are annoyed

Phrasal Verbs

3 5.1

To write something quickly without much care

Run quickly toward a place or thing to reach it first

1 4.4

To write something quickly without much care

To run away quickly to avoid being caught

Compounds

18 1.3

A small amount you add to change or improve something else

quick dash
  • Informal
1 3.7

A short fast trip to a nearby place for a small task

dash-pot
  • Specialized
9.6

A device with a piston that moves through liquid or air to slow sudden movement in machines

en dash
  • Specialized
7.4

A short horizontal line used between numbers to show a range, or between words to show a connection

swung dash
  • Specialized
9.9

A mark used in writing to show that a word or part of a word is left out

How Violent

to pulverize
  • US
8 7.4
to shatter
72 2.8
to dash
7 1.8
to smash
311 2.1
to break
1.0
to crack
311 1.0
to bump
111 1.0

Surface Forms

dash infinitive
dashed past
dashed past participle
dashing present participle
dashes third person singular

Etymology

The verb dash once meant to strike and break something into pieces, like smashing a vase. So when waves or a blow dash something, they break it into parts.