to trash something

USAGE SUMMARY

"to trash something" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of destroying or ruining something. Example sentence: "He trashed the old sofa when he moved out of the apartment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But you may concede that it isn't much fun to trash something so eminently trashable.

The New York Times

"It is a lot easier to delete a digital photo than to trash something in a frame".

The New York Times - Style

If you need to trash something that you don't want seen, wrap the item in wet paper towels, which should keep anyone from touching or seeing it.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We've always had the attitude here that we'll just trash something and move on.

Forbes

We can't do without them so let's not start trashing something that employs a lot of people and earns us a lot of money".

The Guardian - Business

They can jump on a bandwagon, trashing something like The Orville before realizing later that it's actually a really good show.

Forbes

But somewhere between the opening prayer and Walmart being trashed, something went terribly wrong with Monday night's Crenshaw-area rally.

Los Angeles Times

Those cops threw that man away like a piece of trash, something to be dispensed with as they faithfully carried out their duty "to protect and serve".

Vice

Denver's sweeps treat people who are homeless and their few possessions as little more than trash, something to be swept out of sight so other people can feel more comfortable.

HuffPost

Environmental advocates like Mr. Trahan also have some concerns, including how long it might take to put the plan into place and whether the plan would allow for the incineration of trash, something not usually considered part of a zero-waste initiative.

The New York Times

In a kind of perverse way we were secretly relieved that our biggest problem was now trash (something solvable through protest and better governance) rather than car bombs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to trash something", consider the context and ensure the level of destruction or criticism implied is appropriate. It can range from physical demolition to harsh verbal critique.

Common error

Avoid using "to trash something" in formal or academic writing where more precise and nuanced language might be preferred. Alternatives like "to dismantle", "to invalidate", or "to refute" could be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to trash something" functions as an infinitive verb phrase. It typically acts as a verb complement, expressing an action performed on a direct object. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to trash something" is a grammatically sound infinitive phrase meaning to destroy, ruin, or harshly criticize. While Ludwig confirms its usability, its informal tone makes it more appropriate for casual communication or news reporting than formal academic or professional settings. Consider stronger and more precise word choices when formality is required. News & Media represents the dominant contexts in which this phrase is encountered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to destroy something

Replaces "trash" with a more general term for ruin or demolition.

to ruin something

Emphasizes the negative impact on the subject.

to demolish something

Suggests a forceful and complete destruction.

to criticize something harshly

Shifts the focus to verbal attack rather than physical destruction.

to dismiss something

Implies rejection or disregard rather than destruction.

to disparage something

Focuses on belittling or denigrating the value of something.

to discard something

Implies throwing something away as useless or unwanted.

to scrap something

Suggests the item is broken or no longer functional and is being dismantled.

to obliterate something

Emphasizes a complete and total removal, often to the point of non-existence.

to write something off

Signifies that something is considered a failure or loss, often in a business or financial context.

FAQs

What does "to trash something" mean?

The phrase "to trash something" means to destroy, ruin, or severely criticize something. It can refer to physical objects or abstract concepts.

How can I use "to trash something" in a sentence?

You can use "to trash something" in a sentence like, "They threatened "to trash the place" if their demands weren't met" or "The critic proceeded "to trash the movie" in their review".

What are some synonyms for "to trash something"?

Some synonyms for "to trash something" include "to destroy something", "to ruin something", or "to demolish something".

Is "to trash something" appropriate for formal writing?

While "to trash something" is understandable, it might be too informal for academic or professional contexts. Consider alternatives like "to invalidate" or "to refute".