/ bæʃ; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb ( informal )
1.
bash (into sb/sth) to hit sb/sth very hard :
[ vn ]
He bashed her over the head with a hammer.
[ v ]
I braked too late and bashed into the car in front.
➡ note at hit
2.
[ vn ] to criticize sb/sth strongly :
Bashing politicians is normal practice in the press.
a liberal-bashing administration
—see also bashing
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- bash away (on / at sth) | bash on (with sth)
- bash sth down / in
- bash sth out
- bash sb up
■ noun ( informal )
1.
a hard hit :
He gave Mike a bash on the nose.
2.
a large party or celebration :
a birthday bash
•
IDIOMS
- have a bash (at sth)
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (as a verb): imitative, perhaps a blend of bang and smash , dash , etc.