smash through

USAGE SUMMARY

"smash through" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It implies breaking something down forcefully or strongly, usually with a lot of effort (so it is often used metaphorically). For example: She was determined to smash through the barriers of gender inequality.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Must smash through.

The New York Times - Books

"You've got to be like Apple — smash through the numbers people are afraid even to whisper.

The New York Times

The detainee was able to smash through a mesh hatch and open it from the inside.

The Guardian

Instinctively returning the piece to smash through on the kingside and quite rightly so.

The Guardian - Sport

He said: "We do need to smash through the glass ceiling … it's the boardroom too".

The Guardian

The caravan shudders as the bulldozers smash through a plot next door.

The Guardian

Sealed, that is, until the novel's opening scenes, when covetous, irruptive forces begin to smash through those barriers.

The New York Times - Books

Enormous in size, yet with a cherub's face, Diveroli will smash through any obstacle to get his way.

The Guardian - Film

Name: ResourceIT Consulting Area: Hampshire Website: http://www.resourceit.net/ Small businesses smash through many brick walls to survive and grow.

The Guardian

Here attacking troops managed to smash through the front-line German trenches, although the second and third lines remained intact.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Limits are there to smash through-what was tough yesterday shouldn't be what's tough tomorrow.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In business writing, apply the phrase metaphorically to describe exceeding major milestones, such as 'smashing through the million-dollar revenue mark'.

Common error

Do not use "smash through" if the subject stops at the barrier upon impact. Use "smash into" for collisions where no traversal occurs. "smash through" requires that the subject ends up on the other side of the obstacle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smash through" acts as a transitive verb phrase. It combines the forceful verb 'smash' with the preposition 'through' to indicate a movement that not only breaks a barrier but continues beyond it. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe both physical destruction and the exceeding of numerical or social limits.

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smash through" is a powerful and correctly used English expression that denotes the forceful overcoming of a barrier. Ludwig examples show a heavy concentration in news and media sources, where it is used both for physical actions—such as ships moving through ice—and metaphorical achievements, like breaking a 'glass ceiling' or hitting financial targets. According to Ludwig AI, it is a versatile choice that adds a sense of momentum and strength to writing. While it is informal enough for creative and journalistic use, it remains authoritative due to its frequent appearance in prestigious publications like The New York Times and The Economist. When writing, ensure the context supports the high level of intensity that the word 'smash' provides.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

break through

Standard alternative that is slightly less aggressive in tone.

burst through

Emphasizes suddenness and speed rather than just pure force.

blast through

Suggests an explosive or high-energy traversal of a barrier.

plow through

Focuses on steady, relentless progress despite heavy resistance.

breach

A more formal term often used in military or technical contexts.

shatter

Focuses on the destructive impact on the barrier itself.

penetrate

More clinical and precise, used when the entry is the focus.

overcome

Used primarily for abstract barriers like fear or opposition.

demolish

Stronger emphasis on the destruction of the obstacle.

pierce

Suggests a sharp or localized point of entry through a surface.

FAQs

How do I use "smash through" in a sentence?

You can use it literally, as in "The firefighters had to "smash through" the door", or metaphorically, such as "The film is expected to "smash through" box office records".

What is the difference between "smash through" and "break through"?

While both mean to pass a barrier, "smash through" implies significantly more force and energy than the more neutral "break through".

Can I use "smash through" in a professional email?

Yes, but it is best reserved for celebrating achievements, like saying a team managed to "smash through the logjam" of a difficult project.

What are some synonyms for "smash through"?

Depending on your context, you might use "burst through", "blast through", or "plow through".