squash
squash — verb
1. to press something firmly, making it flatter, wider, or damaged — for example, s
to press something firmly, making it flatter, wider, or damaged — for example, sitting on a cardboard box by mistake and crushing it, or pushing down on a piece of fruit until juice comes out.
Kenji sat on Camila's hat and squashed it flat.
squash + object + flat (resultative pattern)
The ripe tomatoes were squashed during the journey in Tara's backpack.
passive: be squashed
Felix squashed the cardboard box before putting it into the recycling bin.
A heavy crate fell off the shelf and squashed the bag of rice underneath.
Try not to squash the bread when you pack the shopping bags.
- expand
to increase in size or volume
文法句型
squash + object
squash + object + flat/open
squash + adverb (easily)
用法筆記
Common with resultative adjectives such as flat, open, or into pieces. The object is usually something soft, hollow, or fragile: fruit, cardboard, a hat, a bag.
常見錯誤
2. to press or push someone or something into a spot where there is barely enough r
to press or push someone or something into a spot where there is barely enough room — for example, four people squeezing into the back seat of a tiny car, or stuffing a large suitcase into an overhead locker.
All five of us squashed into the back seat of Felix's tiny car.
squash + into + place (intransitive/reflexive)
Soraya squashed her suitcase into the overhead locker, but it barely fit.
transitive: squash object into space
The children squashed together on the sofa to make room for Andrei.
Hamza squashed his camping gear into one bag to avoid paying for extra luggage.
We squashed ourselves onto the crowded bus during rush hour.
文法句型
squash + object + into + space
squash + into + space
squash + together/up
用法筆記
Often used reflexively (squash oneself) or with a plural subject (we squashed into). The British expression squash up means 'move closer together to make room'.
常見錯誤
3. to bring something to an end by using force, influence, or authority — for examp
to bring something to an end by using force, influence, or authority — for example, a government ending a protest, a manager shutting down a new idea, or a piece of news destroying someone's hope.
The demonstration was squashed by the police within two hours.
passive: be squashed by authority
Talia tried to squash the rumour before it reached the rest of the office.
abstract object: squash + rumour
Management squashed the proposal before the team could discuss it.
Christopher's hopes of winning the award were squashed when he heard the judge's decision.
- suppress
more formal; to stop by force, especially used for political opposition or information
- quash
formal/legal; to officially reject or stop a decision, rebellion, or rumour
- crush
to defeat completely using great force, often violent
- stifle
to prevent something from developing or being expressed, often quietly
文法句型
squash + abstract noun (rumour, rebellion, hope)
be squashed + by + agent
用法筆記
Subject is typically an authority figure or institution (government, management, police). The object is usually abstract: rumour, rebellion, hope, proposal, opposition. More forceful than quash, which is mostly used in formal or legal contexts.
常見錯誤
squash — noun
1. a situation where people or things are pressed close together because there is n
a situation where people or things are pressed close together because there is not enough space — for example, too many passengers in a small car.
It was a bit of a squash with seven people in the taxi.
informal: 'a bit of a squash'
Six guests on one small sofa — what a squash!
Nikos tried to sleep in the back seat, but it was a squash with the luggage.
The restaurant was so busy that tables were a squash, with chairs almost touching.
- tight squeeze
more common in American English; emphasises physical discomfort in tight space
- crush
a crowded situation, especially involving a crowd of people pressing together
文法句型
a squash (singular)
be a squash
用法筆記
Only used in singular, typically with 'a' before it: 'a squash' or 'a bit of a squash'. Common in fixed phrases like 'it was a squash' to describe tight seating.
2. a fast indoor game played by either two people or two pairs who strike a hard ru
a fast indoor game played by either two people or two pairs who strike a hard rubber ball off the walls of an enclosed court using long rackets; the ball can rebound from any of the four walls.
Andrei and Nikos play squash every Wednesday at the local sports centre.
collocation: play squash
Soraya joined the university squash club and made friends through the team.
A squash court has four walls, and the ball can bounce off any of them.
After an hour of squash, Lara and Indra were both out of breath.
文法句型
play squash
squash court
squash player
用法筆記
Uncountable, so you 'play squash' (not 'a squash'). Equipment includes a squash racket and squash balls, which come in different speeds marked by coloured dots.
常見錯誤
3. a sweet concentrated fruit juice that you mix with water to make a drink; popula
a sweet concentrated fruit juice that you mix with water to make a drink; popular in Britain, especially for children's parties and in school canteens.
Camila made a jug of orange squash for the children's party.
collocation: [flavour] squash
Would you like some lemon squash with ice, Mum?
Tara poured too much squash concentrate into her glass, so it tasted very sweet.
A glass of blackcurrant squash is a popular drink in British school dining halls.
- fruit cordial
similar concentrated drink, often clearer and without pulp; common in Australia and NZ
文法句型
[flavour] squash
a glass of squash
squash + and + water
用法筆記
Primarily British English. In American English, a similar concentrate may be called 'fruit syrup' or 'juice concentrate'. The liquid before adding water is called 'squash' or 'squash concentrate'.
常見錯誤
❌ 'I bought some squash for breakfast. (in the US)' — In the US, 'squash' usually means the vegetable, not the drink. Use 'fruit squash' to clarify in international contexts.
4. a large edible plant fruit with a hard outer skin and soft flesh containing many
a large edible plant fruit with a hard outer skin and soft flesh containing many seeds; squash plants grow along the ground, and common types include pumpkin, butternut squash, and courgette (zucchini).
Felix roasted butternut squash with garlic and herbs for Sunday dinner.
collocation: roasted [type] squash
In autumn, the market sells many kinds of squash, including pumpkins for Halloween.
Sari stuffed the squash with rice, mushrooms, and cheese before baking it whole.
Squash plants take up a lot of garden space because their vines spread widely.
Min made a creamy soup from roasted pumpkin, a type of winter squash.
- pumpkin
a type of winter squash, large and orange, used for pies and Halloween
- butternut squash
a specific winter squash with orange flesh and a sweet, nutty flavour
- marrow
a large type of summer squash, common in British cooking
文法句型
[type] squash
roast squash
squash soup
用法筆記
Squash vegetables fall into two broad categories: summer squash (harvested young with edible skin, e.g. courgette) and winter squash (harvested mature with hard skin, e.g. pumpkin, butternut). The word is both countable (a squash plant, two squashes) and uncountable (a bowl of squash soup).
常見錯誤
❌ 'I ate a squash for dinner.' (if referring to a small type like courgette) — Acceptable with small squash varieties, but for winter squash, it's more natural to say 'I ate some squash' or 'I ate a butternut squash.'