bash

IPA/bæʃ/

KK[bˈæʃ]IPA/bæʃ/

bashpresent simple I / you / we / they
basheshe / she / it
bashedpast simple
bashing-ing form

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2

Definition

to strike a person or thing with a lot of force, often causing pain or damage

Example

The metal gate bashed Liam on the shoulder as it swung back.

bash somebody on + body part

During the storm, branches bashed against the kitchen window all night.

bash against + object

Common collocations

bash against a wall
bash into a door
bash somebody on the head
bash the window in
bash the lid open

Synonyms

hit
the general and more neutral word
slam
often suggests a sudden hard impact against a surface
smash
often implies breaking or serious damage

Antonyms

avoid
means not making contact at all
stroke
describes a gentle touch instead of a hard one

Grammar Patterns

bash somebody on + body part

bash against something

bash something open

bash into something

Usage Note

Often appears with against, into, open, or in when the movement or result matters. It sounds rougher and more forceful than neutral hit.

Common Mistakes

I bashed with the table in the dark.

I bashed into the table in the dark.

use into when the subject moves and hits something.

2.verbtransitiveC1

Definition

to speak or write about someone or something in a very harsh, attacking way

Example

Radio hosts bashed the new fare rules before most riders read them.

bash + policy or rule

After the loss, fans bashed the coach on local message boards.

Common collocations

bash the government
bash the coach
bash the media
bash somebody online
bash somebody for a decision

Synonyms

criticize
the broadest and more neutral choice
slam
common in news writing for strong public criticism
attack
can be broader and more formal

Antonyms

praise
shows approval instead of fault-finding
defend
focuses on protecting someone or something from criticism

Grammar Patterns

bash somebody

bash something

bash somebody for something

Usage Note

Usually takes a person, plan, company, team, or idea as its object. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is verbal or written attack, not physical impact.

Common Mistakes

Commentators bashed at the plan all night.

Commentators bashed the plan all night.

this sense normally takes a direct object without at.

Phrasal verbs

bash away

phrasal verb

To hit something repeatedly and hard, often to break it or remove it.

Min bashed away at the old wall with a hammer.

Why are you bashing away at that keyboard so loudly?

bash down

phrasal verb

To hit something hard so that it falls or breaks into pieces.

The firefighters bashed down the door to rescue the cat.

Sara bashed down the fence with a heavy rock.

bash in

phrasal verb

To damage or break something by hitting it hard, especially causing a hole or dent.

A thief bashed in the car window to steal the bag.

Diego accidentally bashed in the side of the cardboard box.

bash on

phrasal verb

To continue doing something with effort, especially after a pause or difficulty.

Even though it was late, Maya bashed on with her homework.

After a short break, the team bashed on with the project.

bash out

phrasal verb

To produce something quickly and carelessly, especially writing or music.

Brian bashed out a short story in just one hour.

The band bashed out a new song for the concert.

bash up

phrasal verb

To hit someone or something hard, causing damage or injury.

Two boys bashed up the old bicycle behind the school.

Aiden got bashed up in a fight after the game.

bashsingular
bashesplural

1.nounB2

Definition

a lively informal celebration, especially a big one for a birthday or other special event

Example

They rented a rooftop room for Nina's thirtieth birthday bash.

birthday bash

After the final game, the team held a beach bash by the pier.

hold a bash

Common collocations

birthday bash
office bash
holiday bash
throw a bash
farewell bash

Synonyms

party
the general word and less slangy
celebration
can be more formal and less focused on fun
do
informal British English for a social event

Grammar Patterns

a birthday bash

hold a bash

throw a bash

Usage Note

Common with words such as birthday, office, beach, and holiday. It is more casual and playful than the neutral word party.

Common Mistakes

The hotel prepared a bash meeting for the staff.

The hotel prepared a party for the staff.

bash is only for a lively celebration, not an ordinary meeting.

2.nounC1

Definition

a hard hit or crash against something

Example

One bash from the ladder left a dent in the garage door.

one bash from + object

Ella gave the stuck drawer a bash with her fist.

give something a bash

Common collocations

a bash on the head
a bash against the wall
one hard bash
take a bash
give the drawer a bash

Synonyms

blow
the most general word for a hard hit
hit
common and neutral
smack
often suggests a sharp sudden strike

Antonyms

touch
suggests only light contact

Grammar Patterns

a bash on something

a bash to the head

give the door a bash

Usage Note

Often appears with on, to, or against to show where the impact landed. Distinguish from sense 3: here the word means a literal hit, not an attempt.

Common Mistakes

The shelf got a bash by the wall.

The shelf got a bash against the wall.

use against for the surface that was hit.

3.nounB2

Definition

an attempt to do something, especially when you are not sure yet that you can manage it

Example

I've never baked bread before, but I'll have a bash this weekend.

have a bash

Mina had a bash at skiing on the practice slope.

have a bash at + -ing

Common collocations

have a bash
have a bash at it
have a bash at cooking
give it a bash
take a bash at something

Synonyms

try
the simplest and most general choice
attempt
more formal and more serious in tone
go
informal in phrases such as have a go at

Antonyms

give up
means stopping instead of trying
avoid
means choosing not to try at all

Grammar Patterns

have a bash

have a bash at something

give something a bash

Usage Note

Usually appears in have a bash at or give something a bash. It is chiefly British and suggests trying something in a relaxed way, often for the first time.

Common Mistakes

I did a bash at making soup.

I had a bash at making soup.

this sense usually appears with have, not do.

Word family

basher
nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

For sense 1, bash is an informal word for a rough, forceful impact. Hit is the broad everyday choice and does not by itself suggest how strong the contact was. Slam often suggests something moving fast into a surface, such as a door or car. Smash usually implies that the thing is broken or badly damaged after the blow. Whack is also informal, but it often sounds quicker and more single-action than bash. You can hit a ball lightly, but you bash a locked door when you are using heavy force. A driver might slam into a fence, while a child might whack a pillow with a stick.

bash ↗hit ↗slam ↗smash ↗whack ↗

Etymology

English

Bash first appears in English in the 1600s. Its deeper origin is uncertain: some etymologists connect it with old Scandinavian words for striking, while Merriam-Webster treats the source as unknown. The noun grew later from the verb, first for a hard blow, and later for an attempt or a lively party.

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bash

bash — verb

1. to strike a person or thing with a lot of force, often causing pain or damage

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. to speak or write about someone or something in a very harsh, attacking way

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

bash away

bash down

bash in

bash on

bash out

bash up

bash — noun

1. a lively informal celebration, especially a big one for a birthday or other spec

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. a hard hit or crash against something

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. an attempt to do something, especially when you are not sure yet that you can ma

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Etymology

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