demolish

demoler

demolish(dih-ma-lihsh)

transitive verb

1. (to flatten)

a. demoler

Bulldozers were clearing away rubble from the buildings that had been demolished.

Había topadoras que retiraban los escombros de los edificios demolidos.

b. derribar

Explosives were used to demolish the tower block.

Se emplearon explosivos para derribar la torre de apartamentos.

c. echar abajo

It is a real shame that the mayor is planning to demolish the old school building.

Es una verdadera pena que el intendente planee echar abajo el viejo edificio de la escuela.

2.

(figurative)

(to discredit)

a. demoler

Alice very easily demolished her brother's arguments.

Alice demolió con mucha facilidad los argumentos de su hermano.

b. echar por tierra

David needs to do something before these rumors demolish his reputation.

David tiene que hacer algo antes de que estos rumores echen por tierra su reputación.

3.

(figurative)

(to defeat)

a. aplastar

We will soon demolish the other team in this hockey match.

Pronto aplastaremos al otro equipo en este partido de hockey.

4.

(figurative)

(to devour)

a. zamparse

It wasn't long before the children had demolished all the chocolate.

Los niños no tardaron mucho en zamparse todo el chocolate.

demolish

transitive verb

1. (building)

a. demoler, derribar

2. (fig)

a. desbaratar (theory)

3. (opponent)

a. aplastar

Copyright © 2006 Harrap Publishers Limited

demolish [dɪˈmɒlɪʃ]

transitive verb

[+building] demoler; derribar; echar abajo; [+argument] echar por tierra; [+opposition] arrasar; [+cake] zamparse (informal);