squelch
squelch — noun
- squelchsingular
- squelchesplural
1. The soft wet sound that your feet make when you walk on muddy or waterlogged gro
The soft wet sound that your feet make when you walk on muddy or waterlogged ground.
Tomás heard the squelch of his boots as he crossed the muddy field after the rain.
collocation: squelch of + boots/shoes/footsteps
The only sound was the soft squelch of wet grass under the children's shoes.
Each squelch of the sponge reminded Iris that the kitchen floor was still soaking wet.
There was a loud squelch as Jin stepped into a deep puddle hidden under the fallen leaves.
- sucking sound
more clinical, less evocative of footsteps on mud
- sloshing
emphasises liquid movement rather than a single wet, sucking noise
用法筆記
Often countable (a squelch) when describing a single sound, or uncountable when describing the continuous quality of the noise.
squelch — verb
- squelchpresent simple I / you / we / they
- squelcheshe / she / it
- squelchedpast simple
- squelching-ing form
1. To move through soft, wet ground or mud, making a soft sucking sound with each s
To move through soft, wet ground or mud, making a soft sucking sound with each step.
The soldiers squelched through the marsh, their heavy boots filling with cold water.
pattern: squelch through + wet ground
Sana squelched along the flooded path to reach the only shop that was still open.
Heavy rain had turned the garden into mud, and the dog squelched happily through it.
Jack squelched across the wet lawn to collect the broken branches from the storm.
文法句型
squelch + through/across/along + wet ground
squelch + object (boots, shoes) in/through mud
用法筆記
The intransitive use always requires a directional phrase (through, across, along) to describe where the movement happens.
常見錯誤
2. To act quickly and firmly in order to end a troublesome situation, such as a rum
To act quickly and firmly in order to end a troublesome situation, such as a rumour, a protest, or a doubt, before it gains strength or spreads.
The government's quick response squelched any chance of the protest growing larger.
pattern: squelch + noun (protest, rumour, doubt, dissent)
Nkechi's careful explanation squelched the rumours before they could spread across the office.
The teacher squelched the argument by asking both students to stay after class.
Aylin hoped the new evidence would squelch all doubts about her research findings.
文法句型
squelch + noun phrase (rumour, protest, dissent, doubt, uprising)
用法筆記
Often used with nouns for trouble or opposition: rumour, protest, dissent, doubt, uprising. Conveys a sense of efficiency — the action is quick and decisive.
常見錯誤
3. To stop someone from speaking or expressing an opinion by making a sharp or dism
To stop someone from speaking or expressing an opinion by making a sharp or dismissive remark.
Henrik tried to explain his decision, but the manager squelched him with a single harsh look.
pattern: squelch + person + with criticism/gesture
The journalist's difficult question was squelched by a dismissive wave from the spokesperson.
Whenever Lien raised a concern at the meeting, the director squelched her with a sharp comment.
Tamar wanted to share her idea, but the committee chair squelched the discussion before she could speak.
- encourage
squelching discourages participation; encouraging invites it
文法句型
squelch + person
squelch + question/discussion (with criticism)
用法筆記
The person doing the squelching typically holds more authority or social power in the situation. Can describe verbal remarks, gestures, or facial expressions used to shut someone down.
常見錯誤
4. To crush or press something with force so that it becomes flat or loses its orig
To crush or press something with force so that it becomes flat or loses its original shape.
Evelyn squelched the empty cardboard box with her foot before putting it in the recycling bin.
pattern: squelch + object + flat/flattened
The heavy truck squelched the soft fruit that had fallen onto the road from the market stall.
Piotr squelched the plastic bottle flat before throwing it into the recycling bag.
Tomás squelched the damp clay between his fingers to soften it for the pottery wheel.
- inflate
opposite action — filling with air rather than pressing flat
文法句型
squelch + object (box, can, fruit)
squelch + object + flat
用法筆記
Often describes a single, deliberate pressing or stamping action. The object is typically soft, hollow, or easy to deform, such as a box, bottle, piece of fruit, or lump of clay.