squash

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 ~ sth (against sth) to press sth so that it becomes soft, damaged or flat, or changes shape: [VN] The tomatoes at the bottom of the bag had been squashed. * He squashed his nose against the window. * Move up-you're squashing me! * [VN-ADJ] Squash your cans flat before recycling. 2 [+adv./prep.] to push sb/sth or yourself into a space that is too small: [V] We all squashed into the back of the car. * [VN] How many people are they going to try and squash into this bus? * She was squashed between the door and the table. * There were dozens of us in the room, squashed together like sardines. 3 [VN] to stop sth from continuing; to destroy sth because it is a problem for you: to squash a plan / an idea / a revolt * If parents don't answer children's questions, their natural curiosity will be squashed. * The statement was an attempt to squash the rumours. PHRASALVERBS squash up (against sb/sth)