1 B2 informal
To damage something by crashing into it or striking it hard.
"He smacked his car up on the way home after losing control on the icy road."
separable
smack up
B2 informal separable transitive
To hit or crash into something, causing damage; or to hit someone repeatedly.
In plain English
To crash into something and damage it, or to hit someone hard.
What does "smack up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 informal
To strike someone repeatedly and violently.
"The gang members smacked him up badly before running away."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To smack (hit) something in an upward direction or to hit it so it gets damaged.
Actually means
To crash into something and damage it, or to hit someone hard.
Usage tip
Less common than 'smash up'. More often heard in American informal speech. Can refer to vehicles, objects, or people. Usage is not fully standardized.
Words that pair with "smack up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
car face wall vehicle door
How to conjugate "smack up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
smack up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
smacks up
he/she/it
Past simple
smacked up
yesterday
Past participle
smacked up
have + pp
-ing form
smacking up
continuous
Hear "smack up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "smack up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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