Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to slam shut

to slam shut

17 2.7
To close a door or window quickly and hard so it makes a loud noise
  • phrasal verb
  • /slæm ʃʌt/
  • Informal
translation icon : cerrar de golpe
  • In a fit of anger, she slammed the door shut, startling everyone in the room.
  • slam the door shut

And we cannot allow our open door to be slammed shut.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Fumbling for the key, she opened the door, slammed it shut, and stood panting on the other side.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • There was a weird popping noise as he slammed the door shut.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • OK then the doors to the pool slammed shut on their own.

  • So I, I ran into the bathroom, I slammed the door shut, I locked it.

    Shawn Ryan Show

  • The door to the studio slams shut as we come down the stairs.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • The fire retreats into another room, slamming the door shut behind it.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • "Stop dreaming!" Krystin said as she rushed forward and slammed the door shut on the creature's face.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Lainey extracted four bottles, one for herself too, and slammed the heavy door shut with her foot.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • I staggered backward past the door; the man slammed it shut just as the bird hit the slats.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • "Go!" yelled Harley to Gary, backing into room 156 and slamming the connecting door shut, locking it.

    Fiction book (1994)

Synonyms

to slam
vsto slam shut
323 2.3

To close or hit something with great force and make a loud noise

focuses on violent closing specifically rather than hitting or throwing
to bang
vsto slam shut
318 1.0

To hit or close something suddenly and loudly

emphasizes a violent close with great force rather than general sudden noise
to slam the door
vsto slam shut
  • Informal
56 2.4

Close a door loudly and hard when angry or impatient

is a general violent closing for any object not only doors

Antonyms

to open
∞ 1.0

To make something not closed so you can get in

How Forceful

to slam shut
  • Informal
17 2.7
to shut
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

slam shut infinitive
slammed shut past
slammed shut past participle
slamming shut present participle
slams shut third person singular

Morphology

slam + shut

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from 'slam' (to forcefully hit or close) combined with 'shut' (to close); together they straightforwardly mean to close with great force, often making a loud noise. This compositional and cross-linguistically common action–modifier pattern is predictable for learners who know both constituents, so a B1 learner would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

The phrase slam shut comes from the image of a door or window being pushed closed hard by the wind, where the action slam makes it shut with a loud bang. That's why it means 'to close something violently'.