mash

/mæʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [mˈæʃ] /mæʃ/ (ame, ipa) · [mˈæʃ] /ˈmash/ (ame, mw)

mash — verb

  • mashpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • mashes3rd person singular
  • mashing-ing form
  • mashedpast simple

1. to press cooked food, such as potatoes or bananas, into a soft, smooth mass by u

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to press cooked food, such as potatoes or bananas, into a soft, smooth mass by using a fork, a tool, or your hands.

例句

Tunde mashed the boiled potatoes with butter and a little salt.

mash + [food] with [ingredient]

For the baby's dinner, Meera mashed a banana until it was completely smooth.

mash + [single soft fruit] until smooth

同義詞
  • crush

    broader — can apply to non-food items and does not always imply a smooth result

  • purée

    more specific — implies a blender or sieve is used to make an even finer, liquid-like texture

  • squash

    less controlled — suggests pressing until flat or deformed, not necessarily into a smooth mass

文法句型

mash + object (cooked food)

用法筆記

The object is usually a starchy or soft vegetable or fruit that has been cooked first.

常見錯誤

I mashed the raw potatoes.
I mashed the boiled potatoes.
💡Potatoes are usually cooked before mashing; raw potato is too hard to mash into a smooth texture.

2. to damage or break something, such as a body part or an object, by pressing or h

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to damage or break something, such as a body part or an object, by pressing or hitting it with great force, so that it becomes flattened or badly injured.

例句

Beatriz accidentally mashed her finger when she slammed the heavy drawer shut.

mash + body part + by accident

The car door was completely mashed in the accident on the highway.

passive: be/get mashed in [incident]

同義詞
  • crush

    very similar in meaning, but 'crush' can also describe something that breaks inward (a crushed can); 'mash' suggests a more flattened result

  • squash

    more informal; implies pressing into a flat shape, often with less violence

  • smash

    implies breaking into pieces with a loud impact, not just flattening

文法句型

get + mashed

mash + object (body part)

用法筆記

Commonly used in the passive voice (get mashed, was mashed) to describe an accident. The object is often a body part (finger, toe, hand) or a fragile object.

常見錯誤

I mashed my finger in the door, but it was just a small cut.
I mashed my finger in the door, and the nail turned black.
💡'Mash' implies serious crushing damage, not a light cut or scrape.

3. to hit a button or key repeatedly with force, often in an impatient or uncontrol

3.動詞及物B1
釋義

to hit a button or key repeatedly with force, often in an impatient or uncontrolled way, especially while playing a video game or operating a device.

例句

Reuben mashed the button on the game controller, trying to defeat the final boss.

mash + button + on [device]

The player mashed the keyboard keys during the final battle sequence.

同義詞
  • pound

    similar but even more forceful, often suggesting anger rather than excitement

  • hammer

    implies repeated hitting, like using a hammer; more informal and dramatic

  • punch

    suggests using a fist or strong single press, not repeated pressing

反義詞
  • tap

    to press lightly and briefly, the opposite of the forceful repetition of 'mash'

文法句型

mash + button / key

用法筆記

This sense is informal and common in gaming contexts. It implies impatience or lack of precision — the person is pressing quickly and forcefully, not carefully.

常見錯誤

Please mash the start button gently to turn on the machine.
Please press the start button gently to turn on the machine.
💡'Mash' suggests force and speed; for careful operation, use 'press' or 'push'.

mash — noun