to stave
- verb
- /steɪv/
- The workers used a heavy hammer to stave a hole in the wall for the new window.
Examples
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He managed to stave in the door during the storm to prevent water from flooding inside.
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After several attempts, they finally staved the barrel to release the trapped air inside.
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We do this not to stave off our critics, but because these are the values that made our nation great.
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There is nothing you can do to stave off the inevitable.
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Probably the fact that they need German funds to stave off state default.
Blog text (28) -
So in your neighborhood, my question is what is the most effective method to stave off infections in the wild?
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His Recovery Act supported millions of jobs and helped to stave off a second Great Depression.
Blog text (22) -
And now is a great time for people to stave off boredom by learning new skills.
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David Cameron is trying to work out whether to cut more public sector jobs in order to stave off a double dip recession.
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But the objective of the exercise is really to stave off extinction as long as possible, and I believe that that is a valid thing to do.
Synonyms
To break something into many pieces using great force
To make a hole in paper or leather with a small tool
To make a small hole in something with a sharp object that lets air or liquid escape
Force a door or gate open by hitting it hard with your foot
To make a deep cut or hole in something with a sharp object
To open something suddenly by force, for example a locked door or jar
Make a hole through something by piercing it
To break something violently into pieces
To make an opening in something by cutting or piercing
To damage something very badly so it breaks into pieces
To make a deep cut or groove in a surface by scraping
To make a hole in something with a tool or with animal teeth
To force open a door or window to get inside
To break a hole in something and make part cave in
To make a hole through something with a tool
Make something stop working by hitting or dropping it
Antonyms
Phrasal Verbs
How Damaged
Surface Forms
Etymology
To stave in something comes from the idea of hitting with a staff meaning 'stick', so to 'stave in' a door is to smash it inward as if struck by a strong stick.