v., n., & adv.
--v.
1. tr. & intr. (often foll. by up) a break into pieces; shatter. b bring or come to sudden or complete destruction, defeat, or disaster.
2 tr. (foll. by into, through) (of a vehicle etc.) move with great force and impact.
3 tr. & intr. (foll. by in) break in with a crushing blow (smashed in the window).
4 tr. (in tennis, squash, etc.) hit (a ball etc.) with great force, esp. downwards (smashed it back over the net).
5 intr. (of a business etc.) go bankrupt, come to grief.
6 tr. (as smashed adj.) sl. intoxicated.
--n.
1. the act or an instance of smashing; a violent fall, collision, or disaster.
2 the sound of this.
3 (in full smash hit) a very successful play, song, performer, etc.
4 a stroke in tennis, squash, etc., in which the ball is hit esp. downwards with great force.
5 a violent blow with a fist etc.
6 bankruptcy; a series of commercial failures.
7 a mixture of spirits (usu. brandy) with flavoured water and ice.
--adv. with a smash (fell smash on the floor).
Phrases and idioms:
go to smash be ruined etc. smash-and-grab (of a robbery etc.) in which the thief smashes a shop-window and seizes goods. smash-up a violent collision; a complete smash.
Etymology: 18th c., prob. imit. after smack, smite and bash, mash, etc.