smash upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smash upon" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect in many contexts.
It could be used in a poetic or dramatic sense to describe something forcefully impacting or colliding with another object or surface. Example: "The waves would smash upon the rocky shore, creating a spectacular display of foam and spray."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Blending action, comedy, stylish visuals and heartstrings-tugging emotion, "Big Hero 6" proved a smash upon its release in November.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He looks across the cliffs and sees a shadowy stranger laughing maniacally as the wreckage is smashed upon the rocks.

The Guardian - Books

Beneath them, the raging ice blue Mala Reka river smashes itself upon rock clumps, churning up foam.

The Guardian

According to Nintendo's official Japanese website, Marth was put in Super Smash Bros. Melee upon the request of Japanese gamers.

Wikipedia

A large number of competitive Super Smash Bros. Melee players were disappointed upon the release of its sequel Brawl six-and-a-half years later.

Wikipedia

Nominating Purpose, Bieber's redemptive plunge into pop-EDM, and Views, which smashed streaming records upon its release in April and just passed the quadruple-platinum mark, would seem like a rebuke to those observers who believe the Recording Academy to be populated exclusively by old-guard types whose favorite artists have remained etched in stone since the 70s.

The Guardian - Music

Can these crates be smashed or stood upon?

Vice

Anything you can come up with to stop a falling device from smashing to bits upon impact is fair game, and they're giving bonus points for style.

Vice

I know it's a little early to be thinking about Season 2 of "Smash," but do you think you could be called upon to perform another number or two next year?

The New York Times

Once upon a time, you had to wait for Smash Hits to come out and hope your pop song of choice would be included.

The Guardian

Frank Darabont ("The Shawshank Redemption," "The Green Mile") created the series, based upon Robert Kirkman's graphic novel, and it's become a female-friendly smash hit.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "smash upon", consider the context and desired tone. It can be effective in poetic or dramatic writing where a strong visual impact is intended. Alternatives like "crash against" or "collide with" may be more suitable for general use.

Common error

Avoid using "smash upon" in contexts that don't require a strong, dramatic image. Overuse can make your writing sound unnatural or forced. Opt for simpler, more direct alternatives when the forceful impact isn't the primary focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smash upon" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing an action of forceful impact. It is often used to depict collisions or violent interactions, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "smash upon" describes a forceful impact or collision. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig indicates that it's not very common. It is more typically found in descriptive or dramatic writing, as reinforced by Ludwig's analysis of its neutral to informal register and use in News & Media and Wiki contexts. For general writing, consider more common alternatives like "crash against" or "collide with", as it is recommended to avoid overusing "smash upon" in non-dramatic situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slam into

Conveys a sense of sudden and violent impact.

crash against

Replaces "smash" with "crash", emphasizing the sound and impact of the collision.

impact against

Emphasizes the forceful nature of the contact.

collide with

Uses a more neutral verb, focusing on the act of impact rather than the force.

dash against

Implies a quick and forceful impact.

strike upon

A more formal alternative, suggesting a deliberate or forceful hit.

pound against

Similar to "beat against", but implies a heavier, more rhythmic impact.

hit forcefully

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the act of hitting with strength.

beat against

Suggests a repeated or continuous forceful impact.

thump against

Suggests a dull, heavy impact.

FAQs

What does "smash upon" mean?

"Smash upon" generally means to forcefully collide or impact something. It conveys a sense of violent or destructive impact.

What can I say instead of "smash upon"?

You can use alternatives like "crash against", "collide with", or "impact against" depending on the context.

Is "smash upon" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "smash upon" is not a commonly used phrase. It's more often found in descriptive or dramatic writing than in everyday language.

How does the connotation of "smash upon" differ from "hit"?

"Smash upon" implies a much more forceful and potentially destructive impact than simply "hit". "Hit" is a more neutral term, while "smash upon" suggests violence or destruction.