stamp out

verb

1. to put out or extinguish by stamping

   to stamp out a fire

2. to crush or suppress by force

   to stamp out a rebellion

Idioms and Phrases

Extinguish or destroy, as in The government stamped out the rebellion in a brutal way , or The police were determined to stamp out drug dealers . This metaphoric expression alludes to extinguishing a fire by trampling on it. [Mid-1800s]

Related Words

• abolish
• crush
• eliminate
• eradicate
• exterminate
• extinguish
• put down
• quell
• snuff out
• squelch
• suppress
• wipe out