smash-up

American  

[smash-uhp] / ˈsmæʃˌʌp /

noun

1. a complete smash, especially a wreck of one or more vehicles.

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smash-up British  

noun

1. a bad collision, esp of cars

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verb

1. (tr, adverb) to damage to the point of complete destruction

   they smashed the place up

Etymology

Origin of smash-up

1855–60, noun use of verb phrase smash up

Example Sentences

The smash-up of the fantastical and the familiar is disorienting and gets even stranger when the reckless kids start to whoop like they’re on Muscle Beach.

From Los Angeles Times

They found that the energy of the planetary smash-up would have partially melted Earth’s mantle, which would then have had two layers: a molten top and a mostly solid bottom.

From Scientific American

The smash-up was “the first human experiment to deflect a celestial body”, says Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s associate administrator for science, and “an enormous success”.

From Scientific American

Hiltz and Simpson were both involved in a smash-up just after the starting gun on a sweltering day at Hayward Field.

From Seattle Times

The finale diverges in numerous ways, but one is crucial: who causes the smash-up.

From Los Angeles Times