# bash in

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bash-in
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to hit something very hard so that it breaks or bends inward.

For teachers: to strike a surface with significant force, resulting in structural damage, indentation, or collapse; typically transitive.

## Examples

- The thief tried to bash in the car door.
- The firefighters had to bash in the front door to reach the family trapped inside the burning house.
- The ancient shield was found in the mud, its bronze surface bashed in by what appeared to be a heavy mace from a forgotten battle.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He bashed the window in pieces." but "He bashed the window in." — the particle 'in' describes the direction of the damage, not the resulting fragments; use 'to pieces' with 'smash' instead.

## Usage notes

- usually describes physical damage to a hollow or flat object like a door, a box, or a skull.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'smash', which implies breaking into many pieces; 'bash in' specifically suggests the object is pushed inward by the force.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.