snuff out
snuff out — phrasal verb
- snuff outbase form
- snuffs out3rd person singular
- snuffing out-ing form
- snuffed outpast simple
1. to stop a flame or light from burning, especially by pressing it or covering it
to stop a flame or light from burning, especially by pressing it or covering it so that it gets no air
Aoi leaned over the cake and snuffed out each candle with one breath.
snuff out + candle (physical action)
A sudden gust of wind snuffed out the campfire while Kian was still cooking.
Rafael snuffed out his cigarette in the ashtray before entering the building.
The old woman snuffed out the oil lamp and the room went completely dark.
Nala snuffed out the match between her fingers with a quick pinch.
- extinguish
more formal; used for fires and flames in any register
- put out
more general; can be used for any flame but also for fires, cigarettes, etc.
- douse
usually means putting out with water or liquid
文法句型
snuff + noun/pronoun + out
snuff out + noun
用法筆記
The object can come between 'snuff' and 'out' or after 'out' (e.g. 'snuff the candle out' / 'snuff out the candle').
常見錯誤
2. to cause something abstract — such as a hope, dream, life, or opportunity — to e
to cause something abstract — such as a hope, dream, life, or opportunity — to end abruptly and completely
The fire snuffed out the dreams of the young artist, destroying years of work.
snuff out + dreams (abstract object)
A single bad investment snuffed out the family's hopes of buying a house.
The war snuffed out the lives of thousands of innocent people in the region.
Yuki's promising music career was snuffed out by a sudden illness.
The scandal snuffed out any chance he had of becoming mayor.
- extinguish
more formal; works for hopes and lives too, but less vivid
- destroy
broader; does not imply suddenness
- crush
stronger emotional force; often with 'hopes' or 'spirit'
文法句型
snuff out + abstract noun (hope, dream, life, career)
用法筆記
Frequently used in passive constructions ('be snuffed out'). The subject is typically a negative event (disaster, war, scandal, illness), not a person acting deliberately.
常見錯誤
3. to murder someone, especially in a violent, secretive, or sudden way
to murder someone, especially in a violent, secretive, or sudden way
The gang snuffed out the witness before he could testify in court.
informal register: criminal context
The dictator's agents snuffed out political opponents without any trial.
The detective believed the missing journalist had been snuffed out by the cartel.
In the novel, the spy is snuffed out before she can deliver the documents.
文法句型
snuff out + person
snuff + person + out
用法筆記
This sense is informal and carries a strong connotation of violence or criminality. It is NOT used for accidental deaths, natural causes, or animals (e.g. 'the cat snuffed out the mouse' ❌).
常見錯誤
4. to completely stop or destroy something undesirable, especially a rebellion, pro
to completely stop or destroy something undesirable, especially a rebellion, protest, opposition, or unwanted movement, usually by force or strict action
The government snuffed out the rebellion within three days.
snuff out + rebellion (political/military context)
Police snuffed out the protest before it could reach the city centre.
The new policy snuffed out any serious opposition to the plan.
Inês believed the company had snuffed out internal criticism by firing the whistle-blowers.
The regime snuffed out all independent media in the country.
文法句型
snuff out + abstract noun (rebellion, opposition, dissent, protest)
用法筆記
Subject is usually an authority figure or institution (government, police, company, regime) acting with force or power. Distinguish from sense 2 ('END SUDDENLY'): sense 2 is about hopes and dreams ending due to misfortune, while sense 4 is about actively stopping opposition or undesirable activity.