crush down
1. To physically push someone or something down; to flatten someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "crush" and "down." If you just crush down these clothes, I think you'd be able to fit more in your suitcase. I crushed down the soda can and tossed it in the recycling bin. Gee, thanks for sitting on my model of a volcano—it's totally crushed down now!
2. To suppress or subdue someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "crush" and "down." The boss is always quick to crush down any dissent in our department. Once the military assumed control of the government, it began crushing down all rebel activity with lethal force. You've crushed every one of my suggestions down, so I don't know what else you want me to say.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
crush someone or something down
1. Lit. to press or force someone or something down. Crush the leaves down so you can put more into the basket. Crush down the leaves and fill the basket higher.
2. Fig. to suppress someone or something. The dictator crushed the opposition down ruthlessly. He crushed down all political opposition. The army crushed the peasants down ruthlessly.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.