squash

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to push yourself or something into a space that is almost too small.

v. to force or compress oneself or an object into a restricted space.

“Six of us tried to squash into the small car for the short drive home.”

“The commuters attempted to squash themselves into the already overcrowded train carriage during the peak of the morning rush.”

C1 · Advanced Formal

v. to stop something from happening or continuing, like a rumour or a protest.

v. to suppress or silence something, such as an idea, a movement, or a feeling, often by force or authority.

“The manager quickly squashed the rumours about the company closing down.”

“The government moved swiftly to squash the rebellion before it could gain traction in the rural provinces.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Cooking

n. a large vegetable with a hard skin that grows on a vine, like a pumpkin.

n. any of various fleshy fruits of the genus Cucurbita, used as a vegetable.

“We roasted a butternut squash with garlic and herbs for dinner.”

“The farmer displayed a variety of winter squash at the market, ranging from small acorns to massive pumpkins.”

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Sports

n. a game played by two people in a room with four walls, using rackets and a small ball.

n. a high-intensity racket sport played in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball.

“He plays squash twice a week to stay fit and improve his speed.”

“The professional squash circuit requires athletes to possess exceptional cardiovascular endurance and lightning-fast reflexes.”

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun British English

n. a sweet, thick fruit liquid that you mix with water to make a drink.

n. a concentrated fruit-based syrup intended to be diluted with water before consumption.

“The children wanted some orange squash after playing outside in the sun.”

“In the heat of the afternoon, she prepared a large pitcher of lemon squash for the guests.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a situation where there are too many people in a small space.

n. a state or place of extreme congestion where movement is restricted.

“It was a bit of a squash in the lift with all ten of us inside.”

“The concert hall was a total squash, making it nearly impossible for security to navigate through the dense crowd.”