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Glite Dictionary
to squash the beef

to squash the beef

1 9.4
To end an argument and become friendly again
  • idiom
  • Slang
translation icon : resolver el conflicto
  • Let's all sit down and squash the beef before it escalates further.

Well, I want to do a segment here guys, where we squash the beef literally and symbolically.

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Examples

  • To maintain peace in the team, the coach urged everyone to squash the beef after the disagreement.

  • But I got to talk to Rafael, and we just want to squash the beef.

    Empire (2002)

  • Well, I want to do a segment here guys, where we squash the beef literally and symbolically.

    H3 Podcast

  • After their argument, they decided to squash the beef and move on with their friendship.

Synonyms

to settle
vsto squash the beef
596 3.3

To end an argument by agreement or decision

ends quarrels without naming how
to compromise
vsto squash the beef
215 3.7

To settle a disagreement by each side giving up something

ends quarrels without requiring both sides to give something up
to reconcile
vsto squash the beef
38 5.1

To become friendly again after a disagreement

ends quarrels but focuses less on restoring friendship
to bury the hatchet
vsto squash the beef
  • Informal
12 3.7

Make peace with someone after an argument

ends quarrels but does not always imply full friendship
to square off
vsto squash the beef
8 4.9

To reach an agreement to end a disagreement

ends disputes but not necessarily finally
to resolve conflicts
vsto squash the beef
5 3.4

To find a fair way to end a disagreement between people

ends quarrels without saying how a solution is reached
to settle a disagreement
vsto squash the beef
1 3.1

Make people or groups agree after an argument

stops a quarrel without stressing the after stage

Antonyms

to escalate
220 5.5

To become larger, more serious, or more intense

How Reconciled

to bury the hatchet
  • Informal
12 3.7
to squash the beef
  • Slang
1 9.4
to settle
596 3.3
compromise
363 2.5
to discuss
∞ 1.6
to argue
607 1.1

Surface Forms

squash the beef infinitive
squashed the beef past
squashed the beef past participle
squashing the beef present participle
squashes the beef third person singular

Morphology

squash + the + beef

The meaning is directly derivable from 'squash' (to press/crush or stop) combined with 'beef' (here given as an informal quarrel), i.e. 'crush the quarrel' → end the disagreement. Although informal/slang, this is a straightforward metaphorical composition, so a B1 learner who knows both constituent senses can infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Squash the beef may come from slang where beef means a complaint or fight and squash means to crush it. Imagine smashing a piece of meat until it disappears, so the phrase means 'to end a disagreement'.