to destroy completely; to wreck; to smash

to ravage, ruin, or devastate; to cause serious damage to something or someone

(idiom) extremely solid and impossible to destroy; impregnable; invulnerable

no stronghold cannot be overcome; to conquer every obstacle or carry everything before one

To crush something already in decay; often used to describe a powerful force easily destroying a weak opponent or a task that is extremely easy to accomplish

to lower one's head and bend one's back; used to describe a submissive or fawning attitude when flattering those in power

to break or snap; to destroy through force

to collapse, shatter, or be destroyed; used to describe the falling apart of mountains or the ruin of a nation

To defeat and sweep away the enemy; often used to describe thoroughly clearing out old-fashioned ideas or long-standing corruption.standing corruption.

The mast leans and the oars are broken; used to describe a ship being severely damaged by heavy wind and waves.

(literary) the premature death of a gifted or virtuous individual; often used as an expression of mourning for a young man who died before reaching his full potential

To break the enemy's advance and charge into their ranks; to mow down enemy troops and take their position

Literally "the orchid is destroyed and the fragrant herb is broken"; a metaphor used in elegiac couplets to mourn the untimely death of a young woman

the sky collapses and the earth sinks; a metaphor for a cataclysmic disaster, or more commonly, a world-shaking sound or momentum

the mountain crumbles and the beam breaks; a metaphor for the passing of a highly respected elder or a great person of immense stature

(literary) deeply grieved; miserable; sorrowful

to break rotten wood; to smash something easily or sweep away all resistance with overwhelming force

to use soft or flexible means to overcome a rigid or stubborn force; to cause the hard to become soft

to destroy or wreck; to damage something extensively

to defeat a powerful enemy or destroy a strong fortification; literally to break through the hard part

to destroy the enemy's strongholds and break through their battle lines; to overcome a powerful foe

to crush dry wood and smash rotten wood; to overcome resistance with overwhelming ease; (variant form)

to defeat or crush an enemy; to break through an opponent's defense

to humiliate or insult; to cause someone to suffer a setback or loss of face

to destroy or crush completely; to frustrate and break down

to be dilapidated or in ruins; to be destroyed or broken down

to mercilessly destroy flowers; used to describe committing violence or sexual assault against women