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stamp out

B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To completely get rid of something bad, like a problem or bad habit

Literal meaning: To stamp on something burning (a fire or cigarette) with your foot until it is extinguished — pressing it out of existence

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

To completely eliminate or destroy something harmful, especially a problem, abuse, or social ill

"The new government promised to stamp out corruption within the civil service."

"We must stamp out the cancer of violent extremism."

— David Cameron, UK Prime Minister, speech to UN General Assembly, September 2014
Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

To extinguish a small fire or burning object by stamping on it with your foot

"He quickly stamped out the campfire before leaving the forest trail."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 neutral

To cut or press out a shape from a material using a stamp or mould

"The factory machine stamps out hundreds of metal components per hour."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Very common in political speech, journalism, and public discourse. Often used about social problems, diseases, corruption, or criminal behaviour. Has strong, forceful connotations — suggests deliberate, energetic effort to eliminate something entirely. Also literally means to extinguish a fire or cigarette by stamping on it.

Commonly used with

corruption poverty disease crime racism fire cigarette

Forms

Base
stamp out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
stamps out
he/she/it
Past simple
stamped out
yesterday
Past participle
stamped out
have + pp
-ing form
stamping out
continuous

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Synonyms

eradicate eliminate wipe out put an end to suppress crush

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