extinguish that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extinguish that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to put out or eliminate something, often in a figurative sense, such as a fire or a situation. Example: "If the flames start to spread, please extinguish that fire immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Not even a cellphone can extinguish that.

The New York Times - Arts

"Even if you could extinguish that instinct, should you?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Somebody we have in common tried to extinguish that flame," Mr. Sheen said of Ms. Butler.

The New York Times - Arts

Some day in the far future, an asteroid colliding with the Earth could extinguish that life.

The New York Times - Science

"To simply extinguish that grass-roots movement is the wrong thing to do," he said.

The New York Times

I urge the government not to extinguish that beacon with these misguided plans".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Frst, of course, he has to hold on to his job, an effort of exertion and fire-extinguishing that might not necessarily bring out his best side.

The Guardian - Opinion

I think it was the molten core of him, these burning resentments and fears that never could be extinguished, that helped to propel him through this improbable career path".

Los Angeles Times

But throughout all human history, never has been extinguished that relentless, unquenchable desire to do good.

The Guardian

HB 1390 effectively extinguishes that right within Mississippi's borders," wrote the two judges in the majority ruling, E Grady Jolly of Mississippi and Stephan A Higginson of Louisiana.

The Guardian

In firefighting it's called a "rekindle": A blaze thought to be extinguished that later reignites soon after firefighters have left the scene.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extinguish that" when you want to convey a sense of finality in stopping something, whether it's a literal fire or a figurative problem. It adds a touch of formality and decisiveness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "extinguish that" in very casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or even pompous when a simpler phrase like "put that out" would suffice. Use alternatives that are more appropriate for informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extinguish that" functions as a directive, urging the termination or suppression of something. It often implies a sense of urgency or importance in stopping the specified action or phenomenon. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "extinguish that" is a directive used to urge the termination or suppression of something, ranging from literal fires to figurative problems. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase is understood and used across various contexts, it leans towards a neutral to formal tone and is commonly found in news and academic sources. For more casual settings, consider alternatives like "put that out". Remember to use "extinguish that" when you want to convey a sense of finality and decisiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put that out

This is a more direct and informal way to say "extinguish that", often used for literal fires or immediate problems.

quench that

Implies satisfying or suppressing a thirst or desire, a more figurative use compared to "extinguish that".

douse that

Specifically refers to extinguishing something by covering it with liquid, or more figuratively a metaphorical situation

squash that

Suggests forcefully suppressing or crushing something, like a rebellion or rumor. Implies more forceful action.

suppress that

Focuses on restraining or preventing something from developing or being expressed.

eliminate that

Indicates a complete removal or eradication of something, more formal and comprehensive.

nullify that

Means to make something legally void or ineffective, often used in a legal context.

invalidate that

Similar to nullify, suggesting to make something without legal or factual basis

stop that

A general term to cease an action or behavior. A less refined version of "extinguish that".

end that

A general term to complete an action or behavior. A less figurative version of "extinguish that".

FAQs

What does "extinguish that" mean?

The phrase "extinguish that" means to put an end to something, either literally like a fire, or figuratively, like a feeling, idea, or movement.

How can I use "extinguish that" in a sentence?

You can use "extinguish that" when you want to express the idea of stopping or eliminating something completely. For example, "We need to "put that out" before it spreads."

What are some alternatives to "extinguish that"?

Alternatives to "extinguish that" include "put that out", "squash that", or "eliminate that", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "extinguish that" too formal for everyday conversation?

While "extinguish that" is grammatically correct, it can sound somewhat formal or dramatic for everyday conversation. In more casual settings, phrases like "stop that" or "put that out" might be more appropriate.