a smash at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a smash at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a successful attempt or effort at something, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "Her latest novel was a smash at the box office, earning millions in its opening weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Dimitrov, buzzing now, sealed the set with a smash at the net.

The Guardian - Sport

The character, Bing Hitler, eventually became a smash at the 1986 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Ferguson was on his way.

The New York Times - Books

Her confidence proved too brittle, certainly, once Williams loosened the fetters in the final set – and broke once and for all after failing to put away a smash at 1-3 down.

Independent

Henman pulls it back to 30-15 with a brilliant lob, and the game eventually goes to deuce where Sa finally puts home a smash at the second attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

It concluded that the UK film industry had weathered the recession well, partly thanks to the emergence of 3D – such as the recent StreetDance 3D, which proved a smash at the box office – "and is strongly placed to continue its recent growth and expansion".

Independent

Ms. Riley and Mr. LeWitt bespoke the fashionable return of high Modernism and Minimalism in particular, facts reflected in the work of younger artists lately prominent like Damien Hirst (whose entertaining, instantly forgettable spectacle was a smash at Larry Gagosian's gallery) and Inigo Manglano-Ovalle (Exit Art, Protetch).

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Blackmount, a local farm that's a smash hit at the farmer's markets, supplies organic chicken, beef, pork and lamb.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The first lady's comic monologue about her early-to-bed husband was a smash hit at a recent banquet-cum-roast for Washington's media and political elite.

The New York Times

One of them is series director Wayne Blair, whose 2012 musical feature film The Sapphires was a smash hit at the local box office, drawing the attention of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

News from earlier this week indicated that Apple's wearable has been a "smash hit" at Best Buy, for example.

TechCrunch

"Puss in Boots" was a smash hit at the box office, earning 34 million its opening weekend.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the success of a creative work, consider pairing "a smash at" with specific details about its reception, such as "a smash at the box office" or "a smash at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe".

Common error

Avoid using "a smash at" in formal or academic writing where more precise or technical language might be preferred. Opt for alternatives like "a significant achievement in" or "demonstrated considerable success in" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smash at" functions as a descriptor, typically adjectival, indicating that something has achieved considerable success or has been remarkably well-received. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where it modifies nouns like 'film', 'event', or 'performance'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Arts

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a smash at" is used to describe something that has been remarkably successful or well-received. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in neutral to informal contexts like news articles and lifestyle publications. Although "a smash at" is more common in journalistic and conversational styles, it is best to consider more formal language for academic or professional writing. Remember to consider context to avoid potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a resounding success in

Emphasizes the completeness and impact of the success.

a major triumph in

Highlights a significant victory or achievement.

a huge hit with

Indicates popularity and positive reception from an audience.

very successful in

A more straightforward and general way to describe success.

a notable achievement in

Stresses the accomplishment and its importance.

a roaring success in

Suggests a lively and energetic success.

a breakthrough in

Implies a significant advancement or discovery leading to success.

a winner in

Highlights the winning quality or aspect that contributed to success.

an instant success with

Emphasizes the immediacy of the positive reception.

a favorite among

Suggests widespread liking and preference within a group.

FAQs

How can I use "a smash at" in a sentence?

You can use "a smash at" to describe something that is very successful or popular. For example, "The new restaurant was "a smash at" its opening night".

What are some alternatives to "a smash at"?

Alternatives include "a big hit", "a resounding success", or "very popular" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a smash at" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a smash at" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "a significant achievement" or "highly successful".

What does it mean when something is described as "a smash at"?

It means that something has been extremely successful and well-received. It suggests that it achieved a high level of popularity or success in its particular field or area.