I. squash 1 /skwɒʃ $ skwɑːʃ, skwɒːʃ/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: esquasser , from Latin quassare 'to shake' ]
1 . PRESS [transitive] to press something into a flatter shape, often breaking or damaging it SYN flatten :
The cake got a bit squashed on the way here.
squash something down
Her hair had been squashed down by her hat.
Move over – you’re squashing me.
2 . SMALL SPACE [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to push yourself or something else into a space that is too small SYN squeeze
squash into
Seven of us squashed into the car.
squash something in
We can probably squash another couple of things in.
3 . STOP SOMETHING [transitive] informal to use your power or authority to stop something SYN quash :
Her suggestions were always squashed.
squash rumours/hopes/reports etc (=say that a rumour etc is not true)
The government was quick to squash any hopes of reform.
4 . CONTROL EMOTION [transitive] to control or ignore an emotion SYN suppress :
She felt anger rising but quickly squashed it.
squash up phrasal verb British English
to move closer together or closer to something, especially in order to make room for someone or something else
squash up against
The others squashed up against Jo.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ press to push something down or against a surface with your fingers or foot:
The doctor gently pressed her stomach.
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To move forward, press the accelerator.
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I pressed ‘delete’ and started again.
▪ squeeze to press something inwards from both sides:
It’s one of those balls that make a funny noise when you squeeze it.
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Squeeze the lemon and add the juice to the sauce.
▪ squash to press something against a surface accidentally and damage it by making it flat:
Don’t squash the tomatoes.
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He sat on my hat and squashed it.
▪ crush to press something very hard so that it breaks into very small pieces, or is very badly damaged:
Crush two cloves of garlic.
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The front of the car was completely crushed in the crash.
▪ mash to press cooked vegetables or fruit until they are soft and smooth:
Mash the potatoes while they are warm.
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Babies love mashed bananas.
▪ grind to press something solid until it becomes a powder, using a machine or tool:
the machine that grinds the corn
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freshly ground coffee
II. squash 2 BrE AmE noun
[ Sense 1-2,4: Date: 1800-1900 ; Origin: ⇨ ↑ squash 1 (in sense 1, because of the softness of the ball) ]
[ Sense 3: Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Natick ; Origin: and Narragansett askutasquash ]
1 . SPORT [uncountable] a game played by two people who use ↑ racket s to hit a small rubber ball against the walls of a square court:
a squash court
2 . it’s a squash British English spoken used to say that there is not enough space for everyone to fit in comfortably
3 . VEGETABLE [uncountable and countable] one of a group of large vegetables with solid flesh and hard skins, such as ↑ pumpkin s
4 . DRINK [uncountable] British English a drink made from fruit juice, sugar, and water:
a glass of orange squash