smash-up

[ smash-uhp ]

noun

1. a complete smash, especially a wreck of one or more vehicles.

smash-up

noun

1. a bad collision, esp of cars

verb

1. tr, adverb to damage to the point of complete destruction

   they smashed the place up

Word History and Origins

Origin of smash-up¹

1855–60, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase smash up

Example Sentences

They found that the energy of the planetary smash-up would have partially melted Earth’s mantle, which would then have had two layers: a molten top and a mostly solid bottom.

From Scientific American

The smash-up was “the first human experiment to deflect a celestial body”, says Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s associate administrator for science, and “an enormous success”.

From Scientific American

Hiltz and Simpson were both involved in a smash-up just after the starting gun on a sweltering day at Hayward Field.

From Seattle Times

The finale diverges in numerous ways, but one is crucial: who causes the smash-up.

From Los Angeles Times

And this smash-up of claustrophobia and agoraphobia has proven to be an additional boon for Dungeons & Dragons.

From Salon