squash the protest

USAGE SUMMARY

"squash the protest" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you want to convey the idea of suppressing or putting an end to a protest. Example: The government decided to squash the protest before it gained more momentum. Alternative expressions include "suppress the protest," "crush the protest," and "quell the protest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The guard were unable to squash the protest, which relocated to another area to the east of the city, Los Palos Grandes.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Heavy-handed tactics to squash the protests are making Iraqis even angrier.In this section A civil war beckons The military balance It's not over yet The royal house is rattled too Time running out?

The Economist

Her last recording of the famous cadenza from Bach's Fifth Brandenburg Concerto, in 1990, was rushed while engineers and musicians started fleeing the studio amid rumors of Soviet tanks coming to squash the protests during the ferocity of 1968.

The New Yorker

Marshal Viktor Kulikov, the longtime commander of the Warsaw Pact forces in Eastern Europe who resisted efforts to slow the arms race and pressed Poland to squash the Solidarity protest movement, died last Tuesday in Moscow.

The New York Times

"They killed him because they are terrified of a revolution, and he found out about their plans to squash any protest," he said.

The Guardian

The protest worked.

The New Yorker

The protest never materialised.

BBC

Publicize the protest.

WikiHow

Did that squash the squabbling?

The Guardian - Tech

Back to Squash The Caterpillar.

Forbes

Squash The Street has GREAT sound design.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "squash the protest" when you want to convey a sense of forceful or decisive action to suppress a demonstration or opposition. It implies more than just ending it; it suggests crushing its momentum and preventing its resurgence.

Common error

Avoid using "squash the protest" in contexts where a more neutral or diplomatic approach is intended. The phrase has a strong, potentially negative connotation, so opt for alternatives like "manage the protest" or "resolve the protest" if the goal is peaceful resolution rather than forceful suppression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "squash the protest" functions as a verb phrase where "squash" acts as a transitive verb, taking "the protest" as its direct object. The phrase describes an action taken against a protest. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "squash the protest" is a grammatically sound but infrequent expression used to describe the suppression of a demonstration. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English. While the phrase is functional and clear, its use should be considered in light of its potentially negative connotation. Predominantly found in news media, it conveys a sense of forceful action. Alternatives such as "suppress the protest" or "quell the protest" might be more suitable in contexts requiring neutrality or formality. As Ludwig examples show, "squash the protest" suggests not just ending the protest, but ending it decisively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Crush the protest

This alternative suggests a more forceful suppression of the protest.

Suppress the protest

This alternative is a more neutral and formal way to express the act of stopping a protest.

Quash the protest

This alternative is a synonym with a slightly more legal or official connotation.

Silence the protest

This alternative focuses on eliminating the voice or expression of the protest.

Break the protest

This alternative implies disrupting the protest's structure or momentum.

End the protest

This alternative is a straightforward way to describe bringing the protest to a halt.

Halt the protest

This alternative suggests a sudden and immediate stop to the protest.

Stop the protest

This alternative is a general and direct way to indicate the cessation of the protest.

Shut down the protest

This alternative emphasizes the act of closing or disabling the protest.

Disband the protest

This alternative indicates the formal dissolution of the protest.

FAQs

What does "squash the protest" mean?

The phrase "squash the protest" means to suppress or put an end to a protest, often implying a forceful or decisive action to stop it from continuing or gaining momentum.

How can I use "squash the protest" in a sentence?

You can use "squash the protest" in a sentence like this: "The government decided to "squash the protest" before it gained more momentum." This implies the government took decisive action to end the protest.

What are some alternative phrases to "squash the protest"?

Some alternative phrases you can use instead of "squash the protest" include "suppress the protest", "crush the protest", or "quell the protest". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "squash the protest" formal or informal language?

"Squash the protest" tends to be less formal due to its forceful and somewhat figurative nature. More formal alternatives might include "suppress the protest" or "resolve the demonstration".