squash

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1

Definition

to press something firmly, making it flatter, wider, or damaged — for example, sitting on a cardboard box by mistake and crushing it, or pushing down on a piece of fruit until juice comes out.

Example

Kenji sat on Camila's hat and squashed it flat.

squash + object + flat (resultative pattern)

The ripe tomatoes were squashed during the journey in Tara's backpack.

passive: be squashed

Common collocations

squash flat
squash easily
get squashed
squash underfoot

Synonyms

crush
implies breaking or damaging the internal structure, like crushing an eggshell
flatten
neutral term for making flat, without implying damage
compress
more formal; suggests reducing volume by pressure, often deliberately
mash
used for food, especially potatoes or fruit, pressing until soft

Antonyms

expand
to increase in size or volume

Grammar Patterns

squash + object

squash + object + flat/open

squash + adverb (easily)

Usage Note

Common with resultative adjectives such as flat, open, or into pieces. The object is usually something soft, hollow, or fragile: fruit, cardboard, a hat, a bag.

Common Mistakes

She squeezed the can to flatten it.

She squashed the can to flatten it.

squeeze is used for extracting liquid; squash is for pressing flat or out of shape.

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1

Definition

to press or push someone or something into a spot where there is barely enough room — for example, four people squeezing into the back seat of a tiny car, or stuffing a large suitcase into an overhead locker.

Example

All five of us squashed into the back seat of Felix's tiny car.

squash + into + place (intransitive/reflexive)

Soraya squashed her suitcase into the overhead locker, but it barely fit.

transitive: squash object into space

Common collocations

squash into
squash together
squash up
squash onto
squash oneself

Synonyms

squeeze
gentler; suggests sliding into a tight space rather than pressing hard
cram
implies packing full with force, often too many things
jam
suggests forcing something in roughly, with a risk of damage
pack
neutral; putting items into a container carefully or tightly

Grammar Patterns

squash + object + into + space

squash + into + space

squash + together/up

Usage Note

Often used reflexively (squash oneself) or with a plural subject (we squashed into). The British expression squash up means 'move closer together to make room'.

Common Mistakes

We squeezed into the car, but it was very tight.

We squashed into the car, but it was very tight.

both are possible, but squash emphasises more physical force and discomfort.

3.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to bring something to an end by using force, influence, or authority — for example, a government ending a protest, a manager shutting down a new idea, or a piece of news destroying someone's hope.

Example

The demonstration was squashed by the police within two hours.

passive: be squashed by authority

Talia tried to squash the rumour before it reached the rest of the office.

abstract object: squash + rumour

Common collocations

squash a rumour
squash a rebellion
squash opposition
squash hopes

Synonyms

suppress
more formal; to stop by force, especially used for political opposition or information
quash
formal/legal; to officially reject or stop a decision, rebellion, or rumour
crush
to defeat completely using great force, often violent
stifle
to prevent something from developing or being expressed, often quietly

Antonyms

encourage
to give support or confidence to someone or something
promote
to support or actively encourage a cause or idea

Grammar Patterns

squash + abstract noun (rumour, rebellion, hope)

be squashed + by + agent

Usage Note

Subject is typically an authority figure or institution (government, management, police). The object is usually abstract: rumour, rebellion, hope, proposal, opposition. More forceful than quash, which is mostly used in formal or legal contexts.

Common Mistakes

The government quashed the rebellion with force.

The government squashed the rebellion with force.

both work, but squash is stronger and more physical in tone.

Phrasal verbs

squash up

phrasal verb

To move closer together in order to make space for someone or something else.

We had to squash up so that Maya could sit on the bench.

Can you squash up a little so I can put my bag here?

1.nounB2

Definition

a situation where people or things are pressed close together because there is not enough space — for example, too many passengers in a small car.

Example

It was a bit of a squash with seven people in the taxi.

informal: 'a bit of a squash'

Six guests on one small sofa — what a squash!

Common collocations

a bit of a squash
a squash
what a squash

Synonyms

tight squeeze
more common in American English; emphasises physical discomfort in tight space
crush
a crowded situation, especially involving a crowd of people pressing together

Grammar Patterns

a squash (singular)

be a squash

Usage Note

Only used in singular, typically with 'a' before it: 'a squash' or 'a bit of a squash'. Common in fixed phrases like 'it was a squash' to describe tight seating.

2.nounB1

Definition

a fast indoor game played by either two people or two pairs who strike a hard rubber ball off the walls of an enclosed court using long rackets; the ball can rebound from any of the four walls.

Example

Andrei and Nikos play squash every Wednesday at the local sports centre.

collocation: play squash

Soraya joined the university squash club and made friends through the team.

Common collocations

play squash
squash court
squash racket
squash player
squash club
game of squash

Grammar Patterns

play squash

squash court

squash player

Usage Note

Uncountable, so you 'play squash' (not 'a squash'). Equipment includes a squash racket and squash balls, which come in different speeds marked by coloured dots.

Common Mistakes

I play a squash on Tuesdays.

I play squash on Tuesdays.

squash is uncountable when referring to the sport, so no article is needed.

3.nounA2

Definition

a sweet concentrated fruit juice that you mix with water to make a drink; popular in Britain, especially for children's parties and in school canteens.

Example

Camila made a jug of orange squash for the children's party.

collocation: [flavour] squash

Would you like some lemon squash with ice, Mum?

Common collocations

orange squash
lemon squash
blackcurrant squash
a glass of squash
squash concentrate

Synonyms

fruit cordial
similar concentrated drink, often clearer and without pulp; common in Australia and NZ

Grammar Patterns

[flavour] squash

a glass of squash

squash + and + water

Usage Note

Primarily British English. In American English, a similar concentrate may be called 'fruit syrup' or 'juice concentrate'. The liquid before adding water is called 'squash' or 'squash concentrate'.

Common Mistakes

❌ 'I bought some squash for breakfast. (in the US)' — In the US, 'squash' usually means the vegetable, not the drink. Use 'fruit squash' to clarify in international contexts.

4.nounB1

Definition

a large edible plant fruit with a hard outer skin and soft flesh containing many seeds; squash plants grow along the ground, and common types include pumpkin, butternut squash, and courgette (zucchini).

Example

Felix roasted butternut squash with garlic and herbs for Sunday dinner.

collocation: roasted [type] squash

In autumn, the market sells many kinds of squash, including pumpkins for Halloween.

Common collocations

butternut squash
summer squash
winter squash
roast squash
squash soup
squash plant

Synonyms

pumpkin
a type of winter squash, large and orange, used for pies and Halloween
butternut squash
a specific winter squash with orange flesh and a sweet, nutty flavour
marrow
a large type of summer squash, common in British cooking

Grammar Patterns

[type] squash

roast squash

squash soup

Usage Note

Squash vegetables fall into two broad categories: summer squash (harvested young with edible skin, e.g. courgette) and winter squash (harvested mature with hard skin, e.g. pumpkin, butternut). The word is both countable (a squash plant, two squashes) and uncountable (a bowl of squash soup).

Common Mistakes

❌ 'I ate a squash for dinner.' (if referring to a small type like courgette) — Acceptable with small squash varieties, but for winter squash, it's more natural to say 'I ate some squash' or 'I ate a butternut squash.'

Word family

squashed
adjectiveB1
squashing
adjectiveB2
squashy
adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Squash, crush, flatten, compress, and mash all describe applying pressure to change the shape of something, but they differ in result and connotation. Squash suggests pressing something soft until it becomes flat or misshapen, often by accident (sitting on a hat) or for practical purposes (flattening a box for recycling). Crush implies breaking or destroying the internal structure, like crushing an eggshell or a car in a collision. Flatten is the most neutral term — simply making something flat without saying how or whether it is damaged. Compress is more formal and technical: reducing volume by pressing, often deliberately (compressing a file, compressing a spring). Mash is specific to soft food: pressing until pulpy, like mashed potatoes or bananas. For everyday accidents with soft objects, squash is the most natural choice.

squash ↗crush ↗flatten ↗compress ↗mash

Common collocations

Nouns

squash court
squash racket
squash ball
squash player
squash club
orange squash
lemon squash
butternut squash
summer squash
winter squash

Adverbs

Phrases

a bit of a squash
squash up
play squash
squash a rumour
glass of squash

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglishAlgonquian (Narragansett)

The verb 'squash' (to crush) comes from Middle English 'squachen', borrowed from Old French 'escachier' meaning 'to crush or press down', which in turn traces back to Latin 'ex-' (out) and 'coacticare' (to press together). Interestingly, the vegetable 'squash' has a completely separate origin: it comes from the Narragansett (Algonquian) word 'askútasquash', meaning 'that which is eaten raw or green'. These two words are homonyms — they happen to sound and look the same but are historically unrelated. The sport 'squash' was named in the 19th century, probably from the sound of the ball being hit, or from the softness of the ball.

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squash

squash — verb

1. to press something firmly, making it flatter, wider, or damaged — for example, s

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. to press or push someone or something into a spot where there is barely enough r

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. to bring something to an end by using force, influence, or authority — for examp

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

squash up

squash — noun

1. a situation where people or things are pressed close together because there is n

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

2. a fast indoor game played by either two people or two pairs who strike a hard ru

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. a sweet concentrated fruit juice that you mix with water to make a drink; popula

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

4. a large edible plant fruit with a hard outer skin and soft flesh containing many

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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