1 B1 informal
To break or smash something by hitting it hard so that it collapses or dents inward.
"The firefighters had to bash the door in to rescue the people inside."
separable
bash in
B1 informal separable transitive
To break or dent something by hitting it hard; to smash inward.
In plain English
To break something open or dent it by hitting it very hard.
What does "bash in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 informal
(Informal, sometimes hyperbolic) To hit someone's head or face very hard.
"He threatened to bash his head in if he said another word."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Transparent — to hit (bash) something inward until it caves in.
Actually means
To break something open or dent it by hitting it very hard.
Usage tip
Common in everyday British and American informal speech. Often used for breaking down doors, smashing windows, or causing a dent in a surface. Can also be used hyperbolically to mean to hit someone's head hard.
Words that pair with "bash in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
door window skull face wall lock
How to conjugate "bash in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bash in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bashes in
he/she/it
Past simple
bashed in
yesterday
Past participle
bashed in
have + pp
-ing form
bashing in
continuous
Hear "bash in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bash in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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