(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
If you ~ something or if it ~s, it becomes flat or flatter.
He carefully ~ed the wrappers and put them between the leaves of his book...
The dog’s ears ~ed slightly as Cook spoke his name.
...the pitiful shacks built of cardboard boxes, corrugated iron sheets and ~ed oil drums.
VERB: V n, V, V-ed
•
Flatten out means the same as ~ .
The hills ~ed out just south of the mountain...
Peel off the blackened skin, ~ the pepper out and trim it into edible pieces.
PHRASAL VERB: V P, V n P, also V P n (not pron)
2.
To ~ something such as a building, town, or plant means to destroy it by knocking it down or crushing it.
...explosives capable of ~ing a five-storey building.
...areas of ~ed corn.
VERB: V n, V-ed
3.
If you ~ yourself against something, you press yourself flat against it, for example to avoid getting in the way or being seen.
He ~ed himself against a brick wall as I passed.
VERB: V pron-refl against/on n, also V pron-refl
4.
If you ~ someone, you make them fall over by hitting them violently.
‘I’ve never seen a woman ~ someone like that,’ said a crew member. ‘She knocked him out cold.’
VERB: V n