snuff out

USAGE SUMMARY

"snuff out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to describe extinguishing something quickly, such as a flame or light, as in "The fireman snuffed out the small flame before it could spread".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would snuff out all the candles.

The New Yorker

Technology may snuff out our desire to focus.

The New York Times

Torre seemed to snuff out the possibility of obtaining Johnson.

The New York Times - Sports

The ethics course is partly meant to snuff out incipient violent radicalism.

The Economist

"Georgia is prepared to snuff out the life of an innocent man".

The New York Times

Since then, the administration has tried to snuff out even that fleeting Russian hope.

The Economist

Surely he wasn't going to snuff out this moth with his bare hands!

The New York Times

Loads of sand and small fire extinguishers are on hand to snuff out any fires.

The New York Times

Thankfully, my teenage henhouse scuffles did nothing to snuff out my childhood love for eggs.

The Washington Post

Furthermore, he acknowledges that a battering by the Sun can snuff out political careers.

The Guardian

Drones grant governments new opportunities to snuff out opposition of any kind, terrorist or democrat.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this phrase for instances where the cessation is sudden and absolute, rather than a gradual fading.

Common error

Do not confuse the phrasal verb with the noun 'snuff' (powdered tobacco). In professional writing, ensure you include the particle 'out' to maintain the meaning of extinguishing or killing, as 'snuff' alone is more archaic when used as a verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "snuff out" serves as a transitive phrasal verb. According to Ludwig, it functions primarily to indicate the total cessation of an action, state, or physical flame. It is composed of the verb 'snuff' (to pinch or cut) and the particle 'out', which adds the sense of completion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "snuff out" is a robust and evocative phrasal verb that is correct and widely used in high-quality English writing. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility, ranging from literal uses like extinguishing candles to metaphorical uses like stopping political careers or biological life. It is most effective when you want to convey a sense of abruptness or decisive termination. While synonyms like "extinguish" are more formal, "snuff out" remains a favorite in journalism and literature for its strong imagery and punchy delivery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extinguish

more formal and often used for physical fires or large-scale processes

quench

specifically refers to putting out a fire or satisfying a thirst

nip in the bud

idiom specifically for stopping something at a very early stage

suppress

implies using force to end opposition or feelings

stifle

suggests a smothering or choking of a process or sound

put out

the most common conversational equivalent for physical flames

douse

implies the use of liquid to extinguish something

eradicate

suggests complete destruction or removal of a problem

crush

emphasizes the overwhelming force used to end something

terminate

a technical or bureaucratic way to end a process or life

FAQs

How do I use "snuff out" in a sentence?

You can use it for physical objects like candles or abstract concepts like hope. For example, "The rain began to "snuff out" the campfire" or "The new policy might "snuff out" innovation".

What is the difference between "snuff out" and "extinguish"?

While both mean to stop a flame, "extinguish" is more formal and technical, whereas "snuff out" often carries a more evocative or metaphorical tone.

Can "snuff out" be used for living things?

Yes, but it is often used in a somber or critical context, such as "The disease can "snuff out" a life in days".

What can I say instead of "snuff out" in a business report?

In formal reporting, you might prefer terms like "suppress", "eliminate" or "curtail" to describe ending a trend or competition.