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Glite Dictionary
to gate-crash

to gate-crash

1 6.8
To go into a party or event without an invitation
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈɡeɪtˌkræʃ/
  • UK
translation icon : colarse
  • They decided to gate-crash the wedding reception after hearing about the lavish buffet.

Examples

  • By gate-crashing the embassy.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • I'm so sorry I've gate-crashed, actually.

    Last Chance Harvey (2008)

  • No need to worry about having to gate-crash events for the free food and booze; he gets free room and board.

    Blog text (24)

  • The shoot has now been gate crashed by quad bikers.

  • It's his event if you like, and I'm gate crashing it and the town crier and Mace bearer of Honiton.

  • I EXPECT WE'LL HAVE TO GATE-CRASH.

    The Avengers (1998)

  • More debutants can be seen at feather and junior-lightweight as Daud Yordan gate-crashed the former and Gamaliel Diaz the latter.

    Blog text (7)

  • She wasn't invited, but she managed to gate-crash the exclusive art gallery opening.

  • He felt guilty for choosing to gate-crash the party instead of respecting the guest list.

Synonyms

to barge in
vsto gate-crash
  • Informal
59 5.5

Enter a room or conversation suddenly and rudely without being invited

is about attending social events without invitation, not sudden rudeness
to crash
vsto gate-crash
  • Informal
52 7.3

To enter an event without permission, for example without an invitation

is specifically about joining social events without an invitation
to show up uninvited
vsto gate-crash
1 4.2

Arrive somewhere without being invited

refers specifically to attending social events without an invitation

How Bold

to storm
102 5.7
to barge in
  • Informal
59 5.5
to gate-crash
  • UK
1 6.8
to sneak in
  • Informal
75 3.8
to slip in
19 4.4

Surface Forms

gate-crash infinitive
gate-crashed past
gate-crashed past participle
gate-crashing present participle
gate-crashes third person singular

Morphology

gate-crash = gate + crash (transparent) = gate + crash

The verb is a straightforward compound of 'gate' (entrance) + 'crash' (enter forcefully/suddenly), so the meaning 'enter without invitation' is directly predictable from its parts.

Etymology

Gate-crash joins gate and crash to make a clear picture: someone 'crashing' through a gate to get into a party or event. So to gate-crash is 'to enter without an invitation'.